Democrats running in competitive races this midterm cycle are grappling with how to handle former Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail, with some candidates welcoming her help while others are keeping their distance.Harris remains a front-runner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, but her ties to the Biden administration and 2024 loss are making some candidates wary of embracing her in must-win contests.The latest dustup came as Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola rejected a Harris fundraising email sent on her behalf. “Mary isn’t seeking endorsements from anyone from the Lower 48 — her focus is and always will be Alaska,” a Peltola spokesperson told a local news outlet.
Harris lost Alaska to President Donald Trump by 13 points in 2024, underscoring the political challenge for Democrats running in the state.Other Democrats running in red-leaning states did not seem receptive to support from Harris.ROB SAND AND JOSH TUREK DON’T WANT KAMALA HARRIS TO CAMPAIGN FOR THEM IN IOWAA campaign spokesperson for Rob Sand, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Iowa, told the Washington Examiner that the campaign does not want an endorsement from Harris, nor do they want her to appear at any campaign rallies or have any involvement with Sand’s campaign. The position marks a stark contrast with 2018, when Harris supported Sand’s successful campaign for Iowa state auditor. Trump carried Iowa by 13.2 points over Harris in 2024.This week, the Cook Political Report moved the Iowa gubernatorial race from “toss-up” to “leans Democratic.” It also changed Iowa’s Senate race from “leans Republican” to “toss-up” — a boost to Democratic Senate candidate Josh Turek.Iowa Democrats appear to be on the cusp of reviving their base after the Cook Political Report recently changed its rating of the Iowa gubernatorial race from “toss-up” to “leans Democratic.” It also changed Iowa’s Senate race from “leans Republican” to “toss-up” — a boost to Democrat Josh Turek.Turek’s campaign told the Washington Examiner he has no plans to campaign with Harris and isn’t seeking her support. In 2024, Turek, an Iowa state representative, outperformed Harris by roughly 13 points in his district, illustrating the dramatically different political coalitions the two Democrats assembled in Iowa.
