As the midterm elections approach, some Democratic candidates running in conservative districts are opting to distance themselves from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, signaling a strategic shift to appeal to independent and moderate Republican voters.
In Iowa, a state that voted for Donald Trump by double digits, Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek stated he did not want Harris to campaign for him. Turek, who has welcomed support from former President Barack Obama, has won a seat in a district that previously voted for Trump. Similarly, Iowa's Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand told Politico he also did not need campaign support from Biden or Harris and suggested Harris should not seek the presidency in 2028, advocating for new leadership.
In Alaska, Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola's campaign informed The New York Times that she was not seeking endorsements from individuals outside of Alaska and that her focus remained on her home state, following a fundraising email from Harris's political action committee that backed Peltola. These rejections highlight a growing sentiment among Democrats in difficult races that the party's current brand and recent presidential ticket could be a liability.
Democratic strategist James Carville commented that the party is "ready to move on from 2024," suggesting that candidates are seeking to establish distance from the past. He also noted that Biden's health could be a factor in his campaigning ability and that while Democrats generally view Harris favorably, she may not be seen as particularly inspirational.
This strategy echoes historical political tactics. During the 2005-2006 midterms, President George W. Bush, facing low approval ratings, limited his public appearances to events with minimal press coverage in Republican strongholds. Ahead of the 2008 election, he appeared infrequently alongside presidential candidate John McCain, largely favoring private fundraisers.
Ashley Etienne, a former communications director for Harris, observed that voters are disillusioned with the political establishment, stating the "Democratic Party's brand is in the tank." Matt Corridoni, a strategist with The Bench, a political organization supporting Peltola and Turek, described the candidates' actions as signaling a departure from the status quo, arguing that featuring a past nominee on the campaign trail represents "the past" and "partisan institutions."
A longtime Democratic donor, who requested anonymity, noted that Harris's presence might not generate the same enthusiasm in states like Pennsylvania, Alaska, or Iowa as it would in more Democratic-leaning areas like South Carolina or New York City. This donor emphasized the need for Democrats to appeal to Middle America, suggesting that Harris does not embody that appeal.
The political calculus for seeking or avoiding support can vary significantly. Adrienne Elrod, a former senior adviser to Harris, explained that candidates like Peltola, who have a strong chance of winning a Senate seat in a competitive state, must be strategic to avoid alienating persuadable voters. Elrod added that the demand for surrogates like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also depends on the target demographic.
However, some Democrats have actively sought endorsements from Biden and Harris. Dan Koh, a former Biden White House aide running for a House seat in Massachusetts, stated that voters have expressed support for him because of his backing from Biden. Koh expressed his belief in not distancing himself from those he has worked with.
Chris Jones, a candidate in Arkansas, recently received an endorsement from Harris, alongside support from other prominent Democrats like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. When asked about Harris's endorsement in his district and the remarks by other candidates, Jones stated that "campaigning is hard... every candidate is different, every constituency is different, and every moment is different."
Some observers believe that if candidates like Turek, Sand, or Peltola win their races, it could influence potential 2028 presidential contenders to further position themselves away from Harris and toward the political center. This trend is already suggested by the campaign activities of figures like Beshear, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Buttigieg, who have been seen campaigning in states like Iowa, indicating an effort to broaden their appeal beyond the traditional Democratic base.