Minnesota Democratic Governor nominee?
$459.8K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer U.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age57 years old (Jan 20, 1969)
GenderMale
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LocationMinnesota
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationThe Blake School (graduated 1987)
Notable personal detailsDean Benson Phillips is an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 3rd congressional district from 2019-01-03 to 2025-01-03. Before and alongside politics, he worked in the family spirits business (Phillips Distilling) and has been involved in other ventures and philanthropy. He earned a B.A. from Brown University and an M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota. He was a candidate for the 2024 Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Dean Phillips emphasizes fiscal responsibility and reducing the national debt while supporting “fair tax policies,” targeted measures to lower costs for middle- and working-class families, and making middle-class tax cuts permanent while ending special tax giveaways for the wealthy. His public materials stress both deficit concerns and pro-worker/business policies rather than a clear advocacy for major tax increases or large-scale tax cuts. Overall his statements and campaign priorities show a mix of positions on taxes tied to deficit reduction and middle-class relief.
Healthcare
Supports transitioning the U.S. to a government-funded universal coverage system and has co-sponsored Medicare for All legislation; also supports expanding access through measures such as a state public option and telehealth parity. Positions include eliminating cost sharing under a Medicare-for-All plan and pursuing policies to lower prescription drug costs and expand mental-health and substance-abuse services.
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Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes enhanced border security and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, while opposing a large border wall and advocating for improved asylum processes and modern enforcement tools. Has criticized current asylum policy and called for changes to how asylum is enforced while also supporting humanitarian protections and regularization for qualifying immigrants.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade into federal law, opposes federal abortion bans, and advocates protecting access to abortion and reproductive health care across states. Has co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act and legislation to ensure interstate access to abortion services and medication. Serves in the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus and is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund for his reproductive-rights positions.
Climate & Energy
Supports aggressive climate action including rejoining the Paris Agreement, major clean-energy investments (including support for the Inflation Reduction Act), market-based carbon pricing, and restoring EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Has co-sponsored the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (carbon fee-and-dividend) and advocates incentives for renewable energy and resilience measures. Expresses support for transitioning to a fossil-fuel-free economy while endorsing specific policy tools like tax credits and carbon pricing.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports universal/background checks, an assault-weapons ban, and other gun-violence prevention measures; has co-sponsored and voted for legislation expanding background checks and has endorsed and helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Describes gun violence as a public-health and public-safety crisis and supports additional steps such as closing loopholes and safe-storage measures.
News
Dean Phillips is being mentioned mainly in the context of the 2026 midterm landscape, where Republicans have lost ground in several key House districts and Democrats may have a better path to retaking the House. Other recent items are broader party developments, including the DNC’s plans for its 2028 convention and the fact that it will not hold a midterm convention in 2026. There is also renewed attention on climate action as an issue for Democratic candidates, but no specific new action by Phillips is described in the provided summaries.
Denver is a Finalist to Host 2028 Democratic National Convention
DNC announces frontrunner cities and date for 2028 convention, will not hold midterm convention
Keith Ellison won’t run for governor, will seek reelection as attorney general
From fraud allegations to federal force, Minnesota faces widening crisis
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements