It's a new beginning for Minnesota's 3rd District Rep. Dean Phillips (DFL), who is not seeking re-election following a short campaign for president against incumbent President Joe Biden.
Thursday at the WCCO Radio booth at the Minnesota State Fair, Phillips told WCCO's Chad Hartman that he'll be involved in the political process in a different way going forward.
"What I realized is, despite how hard I tried in Congress to expose some of the corruption and the money in politics, and the perverse incentives, that it's really hard to do so inside," Phillips explained. "And I'm inspired to try to do some of that work now outside."
Phillips says he is looking forward to a life outside of Congress for now. The Democrat decided not to run for a third term, following his short campaign for president. He was a rare challenger for a sitting president in a primary. Phillips never did gain much traction in his campaign eventually dropping out following Super Tuesday in March.
Phillips was the first to say it was time for Biden to step aside, telling WCCO's Hartman in July of 2022, "I have respect for Joe Biden but I think it’s time for a generational change." Thursday at the State Fair, Phillips said at the time everyone from his staff and in the Democratic Party thought he had destroyed his career.
"Turned out they were right," Phillips joked. But then he said, he has no regrets and since Biden did drop out, he's been thanked endlessly by his colleagues, especially at this week's Democratic National Convention. But what he hasn't been willing to say is, 'I told you so.'
"I have to tell you, it's come at me in spades," Phillips says. "From some of my most virulent opponents, kind of part of the DNC machine. They've come up to me with regularity and just said, 'you know what, we were wrong and thank you.' That was across the board, it was heartwarming, it was high-fives and hugs and handshakes. It was a good reminder that, despite some of the arrows that were fired at me, that there was still some place for dissent. And at the end of the day my aspiration was fulfilled, which is just to turn the page, great energy, and it happened. I'm sure there are some people that are still disappointed. So be it. I'd do it a thousand times again."
What does Phillips say is most important going forward?
"Encourage people to vote. One in 10 Americans in primaries is not enough to expose how money in politics works, to explain why Trumpism took such root in so much of America, because people are so angry," Phillips said. "To start listening to people, to start rewarding and encouraging young people who want to pursue careers in teaching and law enforcement and public service. These kinds of things."
Phillips says during his three terms in Congress he did his best, but it was too much to overcome.