Biden challenger Dean Phillips drops $5M of own cash on longshot campaign: ‘I’ll do what’s necessary’
HANOVER, New Hampshire — Insurgent 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips has plowed $5 million of his own wealth into keeping his campaign afloat and is vowing to do what’s “necessary” to knock off President Biden.
“This is the most important philanthropic pursuit of my life, and it is costly, and I put $5 million in — which is a lot more than anticipated,” said Phillips (D-Minn.), one of the richest members of Congress with an estimated net worth of around $77 million — thanks to his family’s long-running ownership of an eponymous Minneapolis-based distillery and his former leadership of the Talenti gelato firm.
“We’re now starting to see Americans from all over the country start helping us out without any real finance mechanism, without any access to the Democratic machine or donor list, and it’s really quite a sight,” the 54-year-old went on, “so I’ll do what’s necessary, because I think it’s important.”
With four days to go until the New Hampshire primary, Phillips is storming the Granite State in a last-ditch bid to take advantage of President Biden not being on the ballot.
On Thursday night, Phillips came to Hanover, the home of Dartmouth College, where dozens of students and locals turned out to hear his pitch, which included an endorsement from 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
A poll from American Research Group has Phillips at 28% in New Hampshire, but Biden is still the overwhelming favorite, aided by a grassroots write-in campaign helmed by a who’s who of state Democratic Party bigs.
On average, Biden is polling at 58.0%, in New Hampshire, while Phillips is far behind at 9.8%, per RealClearPolitics.
“I think we’re gonna surprise and I think that’s when this campaign is gonna really start,” Phillips told The Post after his Hanover rally. “I guarantee you, the president is, sadly, going to be weak.”
Phillips has based his campaign around his and Biden’s respective ages, arguing that the president being 81 is “dangerous” for the country. He has also lamented the border crisis and the state of the economy, and has recently embraced Medicare for All, reparations and universal basic income.
Attendees at Phillips’ Dartmouth rally commended the lawmaker for being willing to campaign against Biden when other Democrats wouldn’t and said they admired his vigor.
“I’m not sure he has a chance, but I really admire his courage of standing up to the DNC and running,” voter Alyssa Smith told The Post.
“I don’t think either party should just assume they’ve decided on who should be running. I think more people should be running and the voters should be deciding.”
Phillips has had issues with some state Democratic parties, like in Florida, deciding to only have Biden on the ballot and is seeking action to get their decision overturned.
Dartmouth student Urs Walter told The Post he liked Phillips’ moderate views and his “progressive” policies.
“He’s very articulate, his demeanor. I like what he has to say about him wanting to move this country forward,” added another attendee, Gabriele Currier.
“We need young blood,” agreed Tracy Moloney. “We need someone to beat Trump.”
Others said they were less sure about making a statement with a vote for Phillips.
“I love an underdog, until the crushing defeat you experience,” said one New Hampshire voter who declined to give their name. “I think he’s got a chance, I mean I hope he shows well here. Joe Biden shot himself in the foot.”
Another New Hampshire resident and college student, Kevin Burman, added that while “I do respect his principle to at least run and be a challenger to President Biden,” he doesn’t really “trust” Phillips as a candidate due to what he called his “flip-flopping” on policy.
After New Hampshire votes on Jan. 23, Phillips hopes to compete at least through the Super Tuesday contests March 5, with special emphasis on the Feb. 3 South Carolina primary and the Feb. 27 Michigan primary.