CAMPAIGN 2024: U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips will challenge President Biden in Democratic primaries

FILE – Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., speaks with reporters after a Democratic caucus meeting on Capitol Hill, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in Washington. Phillips is expected to announce a primary challenge of President Joe Bide and is set to appear at an event in New Hampshire on Oct. 27, 2023..(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Minnesota Democratic U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips has announced a primary challenge of President Joe Biden.

He formally entered the race Friday in New Hampshire, after months of unsuccessfully urging other top Democrats to mount their own runs.

Phillips says he’s hoping to head off a possible loss to Donald Trump.

Phillips is the first elected Democrat to challenge Biden and his act of rebellion comes as the national party has tried to project unity behind the president in contrast to Republican infighting in the House.

Phillips could capitalize on New Hampshire Democrats angry at Biden for diluting their state’s influence on the 2024 Democratic primary calendar.

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