Tag: Dean Phillips

January Congressional District Forum in Maple Grove

If you haven’t been able to attend one of our previous forums, or are interested in hearing more from our candidates, please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our next forum:

What:  DFL Congressional Candidate Forum

When:  Tuesday, January 23, 2018, registration starts at 6:00 PM, forum begins at 6:30 PM

Where:  Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369

We’re pleased to announce this forum will be moderated by Katie Rodriguez.

Please submit your questions in advance here.  Deadline for submissions midnight, Sunday, January 14, 2018.

New Facebook Video from Dean Phillips

Dean Phillips, one of three candidates running for DFL endorsement, posted the video below on his Facebook page December 5, 2017:

I’m running for Congress to inspire people to begin talking again. Let’s celebrate our differences. There’s much less that divides us than many would have us believe.
I hope you’ll take a moment to watch my introductory campaign video – and please share it if you’re ready to join me on the journey to make it happen. Thank you!

View the video here.

Commentary: Tax bill would hurt the middle class

The following commentary by Dean Phillips was posted on the Eden Prairie News website November 16, 2017:

I wholeheartedly support the stated goals of tax reform: simplifying the tax code, supporting small businesses and putting money back in the pockets of middle class families. I was optimistic that it might present an opportunity for bipartisan accomplishment.

My perspective on this issue is shaped in no small part by my experience as a job creator. As someone who has owned and managed businesses both large and small, I know that the best way to grow the economy and create good jobs is through increasing demand. And the best way to increase demand is to afford more resources to middle class families. It seemed that the politicians in Congress agreed. Continue reading “Commentary: Tax bill would hurt the middle class”

Minnesotans, don’t forget about the tax bill

The following commentary by Lori Sturdevant was posted on the StarTribune website November 17, 2017:

Franken news is just one of the big things going on.

There’s never a good time, I suppose, to learn that one’s U.S. senator groped a sleeping woman while mugging for a camera. Still, it was particularly irritating to be interrupted with the news about U.S. Sen. Al Franken on Thursday just as the U.S. House was passing a mammoth tax bill that’s skewed against Minnesota and other high-tax/high-services states.

How’s an editorial writer supposed to summon readers to think high-minded tax policy thoughts when the day’s news is about other body parts?

That’s not a plea for pity — not entirely, anyway. It’s also a lament on behalf of the 250 people who crammed into the Minnetonka City Council chamber Wednesday night to hear from three DFLers who want to replace one of the architects of the House’s tax bill, five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen of Minnesota’s Third Congressional District. Continue reading “Minnesotans, don’t forget about the tax bill”

Candidate Bio: Dean Phillips

Dean Phillips’s life did not begin as many expect. His birth father, Artie Pfefer, was killed in Vietnam when Dean was just six months old. Two years later, his mother DeeDee married Eddie Phillips, who adopted Dean and both nurtured and mentored him until his

​untimely ​passing in 2011. Dean attended elementary school in Edina and grew up playing hockey and wading in Nine Mile Creek. After graduating college, Dean worked his way up at the family business, eventually becoming CEO of Phillips Distilling Company. He later left to help turn Talenti Gelato into the best-selling gelato brand, and now co-owns and operates Penny’s Coffee, a small business where they voluntarily pay their employees a livable wage. Dean has two daughters, Daniela (19) and Pia (17) and a new dog named Henry. He is running for Congress to bring inclusive, responsible and independent-minded leadership back to Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District.

Scott Pruitt, left, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, with President Trump and a group of coal miners in March as the president signed an executive order that rolled back many climate-change policies. Credit Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

The following article by Jason DeRusha was posted on the WCCO website May 6, 2017:

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — WCCO has learned wealthy Twin Cities businessman Dean Phillips says he will run for Congress against Rep. Erik Paulsen in Minnesota’s 3rd District covering the western suburbs from Eden Prairie to Maple Grove.

Phillips told WCCO’s Jason DeRusha that Republican Rep. Paulsen’s Thursday vote in favor of “Trumpcare,” the health care bill designed to roll-back parts of Obamacare, moved up his timeline to begin the process to declare as a candidate. He said he expects to officially announce in the coming week.

Phillips’ family started the Phillips Distilling Co., a Minneapolis company that created Phillips Vodka and Prairie Organic spirits, he also owned Talenti Gelato. He has sold both of those businesses and in recent years has worked on philanthropic issues and co-founded Penny’s Coffee, a Minneapolis coffee shop near downtown.

Phillips created a Twitter account Friday, tweeting: “@RepErikPaulsen? More like Mis-Representative. Your vote for #TrumpCare betrays the people you serve. #ReadTheBill ’18 can’t come soon enough,” and DFL leaders and activists have been recruiting him after a disappointing showing by former Plymouth mayor and State Representative Terri Bonhoff.

Dean Phillips @deanbphillips

.@RepErikPaulsen?More like Mis-Representative.Your vote for betrays the people you serve. ’18 can’t come soon enough

DFL leaders and activists have been recruiting him after a disappointing showing by former State Senator Terri Bonoff.

WCCO reached out to a spokesperson for Paulsen Saturday morning but did not get a response.

View the post here.