Federal judge denies efforts to force Dean Phillips onto Florida primary ballot

A federal judge has rejected attempts to force Florida Democrats to hold a presidential primary in March — thus allowing candidates such as Rep. Dean Phillips (R-Minn.) on the state's ballot.

Michael Steinberg, a former congressional candidate and Tampa Bay attorney, filed a federal lawsuit against the state party, arguing that despite President Biden's incumbent status, challengers — including Phillips, author Marianne Williamson, Cenk Uygur and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — should be present on the ballot.

U.S. District Court Judge Allen Winsor disagreed, denying the request. In his refusal, Winsor said the argument wouldn't stand on its merits.

Steinberg is likely to appeal the decision. Earlier this week, he argued that the state's attempts to keep long-shot candidates out of the conversation are undemocratic and that he could try to take the case to the Supreme Court.

“It’s an issue that could be subject to repetition in 2028, and you could have the issue come up again,” Steinberg said, per Politico. “This is more of a matter of principle of saying that Democrats should be democratic.”

Florida isn't the only state where Biden's challengers have hit a wall — and the candidates have vowed to fight for their place on the ballot.

The latest skirmish comes after the Minnesota lawmaker's campaign alleged that “the Florida Democratic Party has stripped the right of every Florida Democrat to vote for the candidate of their choice since the state will not issue a ballot for a party primary with only one candidate.” 

The campaign said it would consider taking legal action, including potentially challenging all of the Florida delegates selected to go to the national convention later this year. 

“The intentional disenfranchisement of voters runs counter to everything for which our Democratic Party and country stand," Phillips said earlier this month. "Our mission as Democrats is to defeat authoritarians, not become them."

“That’s why I call on President Biden and Americans of all political affiliations to condemn and immediately address this blatant act of electoral corruption," he added. 

Phillips launched his White House bid in October, after repeatedly calling for a competitive primary against Biden. The Minnesota Democrat is polling in the single digits nationally and is currently trailing Williamson.