Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips is set to declare his candidacy for the 2024 Presidential election on Thursday, marking a Democratic primary challenge against Joe Biden.
Dean Phillips, a father, businessman, and civic leader, is currently serving as the Representative for Minnesota’s Third Congressional District in Congress. Born into a family with a deep history of civic involvement and philanthropy according to his website.
Phillips’ life story is marked by personal tragedy and the values instilled in him by his adoptive family. He lost his birth father, Artie, in the Vietnam War and was adopted into the Phillips family when his mother, DeeDee, married Eddie Phillips. Growing up, he learned the importance of hard work and sharing success from his adoptive father.
Interestingly, Dean Phillips’ adoptive grandmother, Pauline Phillips, was the renowned author of the “Dear Abby” advice column, penned under the pseudonym “Abigail Van Buren” for nearly five decades.
Raised in Edina, Phillips attended Brown University and later returned to Minnesota to earn his MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business. He subsequently played pivotal roles in various small startups and took over the family business, Phillips Distilling. Later, he was instrumental in building Talenti Gelato into one of the top-selling ice cream brands in the nation and established Penny’s Coffee, a local small business in the Twin Cities. Dean remains active in the philanthropic community in Minnesota through the Phillips Family Foundation. His wealth is estimated at around $124 million, making him as one of the wealthiest members of the House of Representatives.
In his congressional career, Dean Phillips has focused on restoring trust in the U.S. government and promoting collaboration in Washington. He aims to find common ground for the common good and eliminate the influence of special interest money in politics. Currently, Phillips serves as the Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee and the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Middle East, Northern Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee.
Phillips, a proud father of two adult daughters, Daniela and Pia, resides in Wayzata, Minnesota, with his wife, Annalise, and their Norwich Terrier, Henry.