Dean Phillips discussing debates and town halls with major networks

EXCLUSIVE — Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), who is challenging President Joe Biden, said his campaign has been in discussions with major networks for events ahead of the 2024 Democratic primary.

In a recent interview with the Washington Examiner, Phillips confirmed that major networks have reached out to his campaign regarding town halls and other types of events.

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“There have been conversations about debates — plural,” he said, emphasizing that there may be multiple. According to the campaign, Phillips is interested in a debate between Democratic candidates, with the entire primary field invited to participate.

He did not specify which networks such discussions have been had with. CNN, ABC News, NBC News, MSNBC, Fox News, CBS News, and NewsNation did not provide comments to the Washington Examiner.

“The Democratic National Committee unilaterally decided, before knowing even who would be in the race, that there would be no big debates,” he explained.

The DNC has not held any primary debates and isn’t slated to hold any in the weeks before the nominating contests begin. However, this isn’t unusual because incumbent presidents traditionally do not debate primary competitors. This has been challenged by critics, though, given Biden’s status as the oldest sitting president at 81 years old coupled with his unpopularity.

Neither the DNC nor the Biden campaign provided comment to the Washington Examiner.

“They also have told New Hampshire voters that their votes won’t count and their delegates won’t be seated,” Phillips added, referencing the Biden campaign’s decision not to file for the state’s primary. Instead, the president’s campaign is leading a write-in effort in New Hampshire.

He also hit the Florida Democratic Party’s decision to declare Biden the automatic winner of its primary rather than holding an election. The party claimed that it followed the standard procedure, saying, “It is not uncommon for an incumbent president to be declared the automatic winner of a presidential primary.”

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“I’m very appalled by both parties working against American voters and both parties making egregious and dangerous affronts to our democratic system that have to be exposed and have to be addressed,” the Minnesota Democrat said. “I’m going to do so.”

Last week, Flordia attorney Michael Steinberg filed a lawsuit against the Florida Democrats and the Secretary of State Cord Byrd over the primary election move. “Were the court to deny relief, a grave inequity would result because only President Joseph Biden would have gained access to the ballot by unconstitutional means,” he claimed in the suit.