Outgoing Minnesota 3rd District Congressman Dean Phillips (D), who decided not to run for re-election following a brief bid for the Presidency, said he woke up Wednesday morning feeling disappointed after last night's General Election results.
Speaking with WCCO's Chad Hartman Wednesday afternoon, Phillips said despite speculation he could run for Minensota Governor in 2026, he said he would not and explained why.
"I will not be running for governor in the state of Minnesota, but that does not mean I would ever say never to future public office," Phillips said. "I will not be stepping aside. In fact, if anything, I intend to be very loud and standing up as tall as ever because our country needs it."
Phillips did say that he will still be available one way or another despite challenges in the Democratic Party, challenges he knows all too well after trying to run against a sitting presidential candidate.
"I don't believe that our party, the Democratic Party, is ready to consider candidates like me," Phillips explains. "That's one reason, just as they weren't willing to consider candidates like me for a national election of such consequence. And that's somewhat of the soul searching that I hope all of my colleagues and supporters of Democrats around the country will do."
Phillips decision not seek re-election in the 3rd did create the state's only open seat. That meant former State Senator Kelly Morrison (D) defeated former Hennepin County Judge Tad Jude (R) to succeed Phillips.
Phillips had only praise for his replacement.
"I think that Kelly will be an outstanding representative, a future leader in our Congress, and the kind of person who recognizes that respect and decency, collegiality, are hallmarks of representation," Phillips told Hartman.
And a piece of trivia: Morrison's great, great, grandfather Dorilus Morrison, was the first Mayor of Minneapolis.