Well, this is a big week for previously anonymous members of Congress. First, someone named Mike Phillips became Speaker of the House. And then, on Friday, three-term Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips announced a primary challenge against President Biden.

Phillips entered the campaign with a series of media interviews, a launch video, and an event in New Hampshire.

People have been speculating about a primary challenge to Biden for more than a year. Here’s what it could mean.

Is Phillips a Credible Candidate?

Phillips is not Biden’s first or only primary challenger. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the MAGA-friendly, anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, ran against Biden for months before leaving the Democratic Party to pursue an independent bid for the White House. Marianne Williamson, the self-help guru, is still technically running in the Democratic primary. Neither RFK Jr. nor Williamson were credible candidates or serious threats to Biden.

Dean Phillips is, however, a credible candidate. He is a three-term congressman from a swing district who was a successful businessperson before being elected to Congress. Steve Schmidt, the former George W. Bush attack dog turned Resistance hero and MSNBC stalwart, stands at the helm of Phillips’ campaign. According to The Atlantic, Phillips is also supported by Billy Shaheen, a long-time political honcho in New Hampshire and the husband of Senator Jeanne Shaheen...