Capitol View for November 27

Good morning. Get through those leftovers yet?

It’s up or out for Dean Phillips. The Minnesota Democrat made it clear over the holiday weekend that he’s not headed back to Congress after the 2024 election, regardless of how his White House run goes. Phillips ruled out a re-election campaign in the 3rd Congressional District, saying he’s making way for a new representative. Two DFLers are in the race already in the western Twin Cities suburban district and others could follow. Republicans see a chance to reclaim turf once reliably in their column. Phillips, who broke the news first to the Star Tribune’s Ryan Faircloth, told the newspaper that he expects to be in the presidential race beyond the Super Tuesday (March 5) reflection point he previously set for himself.

The decision gives Minnesota two potentially competitive congressional races next year. Republicans were already expecting to make another hard run at the 2nd Congressional District seat held by third-term DFL Rep. Angie Craig. MPR’s Ellie Roth spoke with some political analysts who still see that as more likely to attract national attention than the 3rd District. “Will there be more attention on the third than there would have been otherwise by the parties? Yes,” University of Minnesota political science professor Kathryn Pearson said. “But the 2nd District remains the focus because it is a more competitive district."

As for the Phillips presidential run, he’s now got the accessory that’s a staple of every serious candidate: A Super PAC. A political group calling itself Pass The Torch began running ads over the weekend in New Hampshire, where Phillips is concentrating his efforts the most. The name comes from the Phillips central pitch that it’s time for a new generation of leaders in both parties. An FEC registration of the committee opened last week shows a Justin Phillips as the point of contact; it’s unclear whether there is a relation. National strategist Steve Schmidt, who helped with the Phillips campaign launch is involved. It has put up 30-second and 60-second ads describing President Joe Biden as vulnerable to defeat to former GOP President Donald Trump. The longer ad includes a clip of the deadly George Floyd arrest by Minneapolis police. The Washington Post has more on the group and its aim.

Family members, lawyers for and prosecutors of Derek Chauvin are still waiting for answers on how the former Minneapolis police officer imprisoned for Floyd’s murder was stabbed in prison. The Associated Press reports that the incident in a federal penitentiary in Arizona is under investigation . The prison where Chauvin was incarcerated has been plagued by problems. He is expected to survive the stabbing, which happened on Friday. He is serving a 21-year federal sentence concurrent to a slightly longer state sentence.

The formal investiture ceremony for the newest Minnesota Supreme Court chief justice and associate justice will be held today. Chief Justice Natalie Hudson was elevated upon the departure of Lorie Gildea in October. Karl Procaccini took Hudson’s spot on the seven-person court. MPR’s Dana Ferguson will be at the ceremony and notes both mark historic picks. Hudson is the first person of color to lead the court. Procaccini, who had been general counsel for Gov. Tim Walz, is the first Muslim Minnesotan to sit on the court.

The state is moving to fill the top position in the new Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. Dana reports that a job listing for the position says that the window to apply closes today. Applicants need at least five years experience in criminal justice, public administration or social services to be eligible. It also calls for experience working with Black women and girls, or communities affected by violence. Minnesota is the first state to create an office specifically tasked with helping find answers about missing and murdered Black women and girls. It will investigate cold cases and reopen cases where Black women or girls were declared to have died by suicide or drug overdose if the situation was suspicious. The office will also help police agencies and community groups in active cases, and act as a new point of contact for those reluctant to speak with police.