Minnesota businessman Dean Phillips made his long-awaited official debut in the 2020 presidential race on Friday night, attempting to sell himself as a “longshot” for the Democratic nomination.
Phillips, a moderate businessman who is running on a platform of improving the country’s campaign finance system and increasing economic opportunity for middle class Americans, made his debut at the Mississippi Democratic Party’s Jackson presidential forum.
“I am the longshot. I am the kid brother in this race,” Phillips told the crowd. He also tried to contrast himself with front-runner Joe Biden: “I am not the status quo.”
Phillips’ remarks could signal his strategy going forward – playing up his outsider status and differentiating himself from Biden.
He certainly has an uphill battle to dethrone Biden as the front runner. However, he could be an interesting wild card pick for more progressive Democrats who want to see a more progressive nominee. After all, the race for the Democratic nomination is still wide open and anything could happen.
