The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) be included on the state’s Democratic presidential primary ballot after initially being excluded by the Wisconsin Presidential Preference Selection Committee.
Phillips will now join President Joe Biden in appearing on the ballot for the primary scheduled for April 2. The state’s high court ruled that the committee had “failed to demonstrate that it exercised discretion” in applying state law when discussing whether Phillips should be included on the ballot.
“We direct that the name of Dean Phillips be placed on the Democratic presidential preference ballot as a candidate for the office of President of the United States,” the court said in its unanimous decision.
The Phillips campaign celebrated the decision in a statement to the Washington Examiner, arguing it was the second time allies of the president had attempted to keep him off a state primary ballot, noting efforts in Massachusetts.
“Today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck a blow against the anti-democratic attempts by Biden allies to unlawfully keep Congressman Dean Phillips off the ballot. Voters in Wisconsin will now have the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice,” Jeff Weaver, senior strategist with the campaign, said in a statement. “This is the second time this cycle that Biden allies in State Parties have had their improper conduct reversed. The first was by the Massachusetts Secretary of State.”
The campaign also noted pending challenges for Phillips to appear on Democratic presidential primary ballots in other states.
“We expect the DNC will take notice of this ruling as they review the improper barring of Dean Phillips from the ballots in North Carolina and Florida,” the statement continued.
Phillips stressed in a statement on Friday that his campaign is offering a choice to voters after his ballot access victory in the Badger State.
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“We are fighting to give voters a choice this election cycle – something that Democratic leadership across the country should be embracing if they truly value having a democratic election,” Phillips said in a statement. “Americans deserve new leadership, and they particularly deserve state parties that uphold democratic values.”
Phillips is considered a long-shot challenger to Biden, who has the backing of the Democratic National Committee and most Democrats nationwide. The next Democratic presidential primary is scheduled for Saturday in South Carolina.
