Former Vice President Kamala Harris has responded to reports indicating that some Democrats in red states are requesting her to avoid their campaign trails for the upcoming midterm elections. Harris stated that she supports candidates in doing whatever is necessary to win, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming races.
When questioned by a host about a Politico report detailing red state Democrats’ reluctance to have her campaign with them, Harris replied, "Listen, Peter, we need to win, okay? Bottom line, we need to win." She added that candidates "know what they need to do to win and I would expect nothing less." Harris expressed her eagerness to be on the trail and assist where helpful, focusing on the need to "put a check on this lawless administration and deliver what Americans need and deserve."
According to the Politico report, prominent Democratic candidates in Iowa have stated they do not want Harris to campaign for them. The Democratic Senate nominee in Alaska reportedly rejected a fundraising solicitation from Harris, and a Democratic candidate in Wisconsin and a Senate hopeful in Kansas also indicated a preference for Harris to maintain distance from their races.
Rebecca Cooke, a Democrat running against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in western Wisconsin, was quoted saying, "I don’t need anyone to come and campaign with me in my district. I do the work of building relationships — including across the aisle — on my own." Another local Democratic candidate in a different state reportedly made a rhetorical shift to appeal to working-class conservative voters.
When asked about potentially running for president in 2028, Harris stated her focus is on the 2026 elections, asserting that "’28 doesn’t matter if we don’t win ’26.'"
Democratic consultant Julian Epstein suggested that the party faces a challenge with "postmodern Democrats" who he believes lack self-awareness regarding swing voters. Epstein told Fox News Digital that some moderate Democrats view Harris as "an empty suit who can't answer tough questions" and consider her policies too far to the left. He also characterized a common Democratic deflection as doubling down on welfare state expansion.
Former RNC National Spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko commented that the situation reflects a lack of leadership within the Democratic party. She noted that it is a "sad state of affairs" when a former vice president is asked to stay off the campaign trail due to concerns her popularity could hurt other candidates' chances. Pipko recalled Harris's 2020 presidential primary withdrawal and her selection as vice president, suggesting that she has been "handed the top of the ticket again" and carries the "baggage" of voters continuously rejecting her.