The only Democrat who has announced plans to run against Joe Biden for the 2024 presidential nomination has hired a former Minneapolis lawmaker who backed a movement to abolish the city’s police department.
Minnesota Representative Dean Phillips revealed on October 26 that he would be challenging the current president for the Democratic primary.
The 54-year-old, who is one of the richest members of Congress, has enlisted the help of a former Minneapolis City Council member who supported calls to dismantle the city’s police following the murder of George Floyd in June 2020.
Alondra Cano, 42, said ‘the Mpls Police Department is not reformable’ but is now part of Phillips’ presidential campaign despite the fact he has been against the ‘defund the police’ movement.
Leading Democrats have been critical of his ambitious attempt to run against Biden for the 2024 presidential nomination.
Democrat Dean Phillips, who has announced plans to run against Joe Biden for the 2024 presidential nomination, has hired a former Minneapolis lawmaker who backed a movement to abolish the city’s police department
Alondra Cano, 42, said ‘the Mpls Police Department is not reformable’ but is now part of Phillips’ presidential campaign despite the fact he has been against the ‘defund the police’ movement
The former Minneapolis City Council member supported calls to dismantle the city’s police following the murder of George Floyd in June 2020. Pictured: Riots in Minneapolis, May 2020
Phillips is making a longshot bid for the 2024 presidential nomination and hoping to provide the Democrat party with a younger, more energetic alternative.
He has decided to bring Cano into his campaign even though he has an opposite view on matters regarding law enforcement.
She was the first Latina elected to the Minneapolis City Council and in the days after Floyd’s death in the city, the politician took to social media to express her views.
Cano posted from an official account to say ‘a veto-proof majority of the MPLS City Council just publicly agreed that the Minneapolis Police Department is not reformable and that we’re going to end the current policing system’.
However a ballot question about replacing the city’s police department with a department of public safety did not pass during a citywide vote in 2021.
This led to division amongst the Democrats in Minnesota. Cano announced in December 2020 that she would not run for re-election for her council seat.
Phillips has highlighted his support for police during his time in Congress and has called for help for law enforcement recruitment.
In his last two congressional races, he was endorsed by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association which represents a large number of officers in the state.
‘Dean’s leadership strategy has been clear from his announcement — his goal is to build a diverse team that includes all voices at the tables’ his campaign team said in a statement.
Cano was the first Latina elected to the Minneapolis City Council and in the days after Floyd’s death in the city, the politician took to social media to express her views
She posted from an official account to say ‘a veto-proof majority of the MPLS City Council just publicly agreed that the Minneapolis Police Department is not reformable and that we’re going to end the current policing system’
‘And just like our campaign, which lets a wide range of opinions generate the best ideas for the future of our country, Dean is committed to bringing diversity of voice and thought to the White House.’
In response to concerns about Cano and her views on policing, his campaign added that the ‘Congressman’s record on this issue has been clear.’
‘He supports the vast majority of law enforcement professionals who do difficult and dangerous jobs to protect the people of this country,’ the statement said.
‘He has also been clear that we need reforms that end the disproportionate killings of people of color, particularly Black Americans, during encounters with law enforcement.’
Floyd was murdered during an arrest by white officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020.
Footage of the incident showed Chauvin kneeling on his neck for several minutes and it triggered protests across the US and around the world over police brutality and racism in law enforcement.
Chauvin was convicted of Floyd’s murder and is serving a 21-year sentence at a federal prison in Arizona.
Biden’s campaign, as well as his supporters, allies and surrogates, have been quick to point out that Rep. Phillips has voted with Biden most of the time and note that they are unable to identify what he offers that is different than the president.
But critics claim just the age and physical and mental fitness aspect might be enough to give him a little bump.
‘We have a responsibility to take a hard look at these numbers, listen to what the American people are trying to tell us, and act accordingly,’ Phillips said of a recent poll between Biden and Trump.
Polling, although not extensive since Phillips announced in late October, has not reflected so far that he has any shot of an upset against Biden.
In fact, he doesn’t seem to be able to even surpass fellow longshot Democratic candidate Marianne Williamson.
A Morning Consult poll released last week shows a whopping 69 percent gap between Biden and Phillips, with 73 percent saying they would vote for the current president and only four percent defecting.
Williamson also earned four percent in the same poll.
DailyMail.com has contacted Phillips and Cano for comment.