Another Joe Biden Primary Challenger?

According to The Hill, Joe Biden may face another primary challenger.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) is reportedly exploring the option of challenging Joe Biden in the Democrat primary.

“A well-placed Democrat in the state confirmed to The Hill that Phillips is talking to various people about possibly mounting a White House challenge to Biden,” The Hill reports.

Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips is toying with a potential 2024 primary challenge against President Biden, a development likely to bring additional scrutiny to the incumbent’s reelection campaign. https://t.co/Dk2UQaekaS

— The Hill (@thehill) July 28, 2023

From The Hill:

He would be the first Democratic lawmaker in either chamber of Congress to run against Biden this cycle.

The news of his early thinking was initially reported by Politico. Phillips confirmed independently to CNN that he will meet with donors in New York City.

The idea Biden may have to face a Democratic competitor from Capitol Hill is notable. For one, Phillips is a moderate, bucking Democrats’ more common concern that a progressive could primary him from the left.

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He’s also not a household name, like fellow centrist Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), whose contemplation of a presidential run has been viewed with frustration by the party’s establishment.

But a potential primary campaign from Phillips wouldn’t entirely be a surprise. He’s at times been critical of Biden, even going as far as to say he shouldn’t run for a second term due in part to his age. At 54, Phillips is 26 years younger than the 80-year-old president.

Phillips is meeting with Democratic donors in New York City next week to discuss a potential bid. https://t.co/thJvKwL4xP

— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) July 29, 2023

Daily Caller provided additional insight:

Along with Phillips’ support for a Democratic primary, donors are also eyeing Phillips for a potential White House bid because of his criticism of centrist organization No Labels for floating a third-party “unity ticket” in 2024, according to Politico. Democrats are worried such a candidate would siphon off more votes from Biden than the Republican nominee, leading to a potential second term for former President Donald Trump.

“If No Labels runs a Joe Manchin against Donald Trump and Joe Biden, I think it will be a historic disaster,” Phillips previously told The New York Times. “And I speak for just about every moderate Democrat and frankly most of my moderate Republican friends.”

Biden’s approval rating currently sits at 38%, with 52% disapproving of the president, according to a Big Village CARAVAN poll conducted July 24 to July 26.

The third-term congressman was first elected to the House in 2018, beating his Republican opponent 55.6% to 44.2%, and most recently secured reelection in 2022 by nearly 20 points, according to Ballotpedia. Before entering politics, Phillips was a businessman.