Democratic Representative Dean Phillips from Minnesota has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. With three terms under his belt, Phillips aims to challenge incumbent President Joe Biden for the party's nomination. This move places Phillips on the outskirts of the party as he goes up against the well-established and well-funded Biden.

Phillips, 54, has been advocating for another primary challenger to Biden for several months now, expressing concerns over the president's age and approval ratings. Despite acknowledging Biden's accomplishments, Phillips believes that the election should focus on the future rather than the past.

On Friday morning, Phillips made his announcement on CBS News, stating that he will be running for president and preparing to compete in the New Hampshire primary. He then filed the necessary paperwork for his candidacy and officially declared his bid at the Statehouse plaza in Concord. To kick off his campaign, Phillips will embark on a bus tour throughout New Hampshire.

During his campaign announcement, Phillips addressed the "exhausted majority" who he believes are ready for change. While he emphasized his admiration and gratitude for President Biden, Phillips highlighted his belief that he is the Democratic candidate who can secure victory in the 2024 election. His campaign will prioritize four key issues: the economy, safety, generational change, and reforming the divisive political environment.

There were hints leading up to Phillips' announcement, with reports confirming his plans to launch his campaign from the State House Plaza in Concord, New Hampshire. A bus with "Dean Phillips for President" signage was also spotted on its way to New Hampshire. Despite speculation about his potential candidacy dating back to July, Phillips had not publicly confirmed his intentions until recently.

Phillips, a millionaire businessman who recently stepped down from Democratic House leadership, has been engaging in media interviews, urging high-profile Democrats to join the race. He believes that polling data indicating concerns over Biden's age necessitates an alternative candidate. A recent Gallup poll showed a decline in Biden's approval ratings among Democratic adults, although a majority still support him.

By choosing to launch his bid in New Hampshire, Phillips solidifies his status as a party outsider. This move is seen as a direct challenge to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), considering New Hampshire's deviation from the DNC-approved early nominating calendar. However, the DNC and the Biden campaign have declined to comment on Phillips' entrance into the race.

Phillips' decision to bypass filing in Nevada means he will not receive any delegates from the state for the DNC next year. This move has drawn criticism from his Democratic colleagues, who argue that he is not taking a competitive approach to challenge Biden.

Artie Blanco, a Democratic National Committee member from Nevada, questioned Phillips' seriousness about running for president, citing his failure to meet the deadlines in Nevada and his sole filing in New Hampshire as evidence. Blanco believes that a candidate should strive to build a diverse coalition in order to be a viable contender for the presidency.

As the 2024 race continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Phillips as he navigates the challenges of going up against an incumbent president to secure the Democratic presidential nomination.