It’s been an unprecedented year in Minnesota politics.
One Minnesota resident ran for vice president, and another ran a primary campaign against the incumbent. The arrest of a state senator on burglary charges has upended the 2024 legislative session, and Minnesota Democrats have lost their three-way control of state government.
Here’s a look at the 10 most important political stories of the year in Minnesota.
Governor Tim Walz’s nomination for vice president
Gov. Tim Walz takes the stage at a waterfront rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, in front of about 2,000 supporters on September 5. (Glenn Stop)
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips challenges Biden
![Dean Phillips takes the stage at his Election Night party after a stronger-than-expected showing in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 Manchester, New Hampshire]Glenn Stubbe • glen.stubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PVGYCQIBZNBDZKAUZCEKGILBB4.jpg?&w=712)
Dean Phillips takes the stage at his election night party after a stronger-than-expected showing in the New Hampshire primary on January 23. (Glenn Staub/Minnesota Star Tribune)
US Representative Dean Phillips was among the first Democrats in the country to call on Biden to step down. The congressman who represents Minnesota’s 3rd District has repeatedly warned that Biden is too old and unpopular to win re-election. But Democrats wouldn’t listen, so Phillips mounted a defiant primary campaign against the president.
Phillips challenged Biden in Democratic primaries in more than a dozen states early this year. His best performance came in New Hampshire, where he received nearly 20% of the vote. But his campaign failed elsewhere, including his home state. He ended his long presidential campaign in March and endorsed Biden.
Months later, other Democrats came to terms with what Phillips had been saying for two years. They called on Biden to step down after they saw him suffering in his first debate against Trump. After being ostracized by other Democrats, Phillips was acquitted.
