Harris Backs Red-State Democrats Who Shun Her
Harris Backs Red-State Democrats Who Shun Her
The News
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday she is fine with Democratic candidates who want her to stay away from their midterm campaigns, after Politico reported that several nominees in competitive races had asked her to keep her distance.
"Listen, Peter, we need to win, okay? Bottom line, we need to win," Harris told MS NOW host Peter Alexander. "These candidates know what they need to do to win and I would expect nothing less."
She added: "I support them in doing whatever they need to do to win."
Timeline
Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola rejects a fundraising email Harris 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 campaign spokeswoman said.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, the Democratic candidate for governor, tells Politico that Harris is beside the point. "Let's move on. We need some new leadership," Sand said. Asked whether Harris should run for president again, he answered: "No."
Politico publishes a report that Democrats from Alaska to Wisconsin have signaled they don't want Harris campaigning for them.
Harris appears on MS NOW's "State of Play," primarily to discuss the life of journalist and feminist activist Gloria Steinem, who died Wednesday at 92. Alexander presses her on the Politico report at the end of the interview.
Reactions
Wisconsin Democrat Rebecca Cooke, who is running against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, told Politico she does not want the help: "I received 9,000 more votes than Harris in 2024. 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." Cooke has welcomed an endorsement from Pete Buttigieg.
Kansas Democratic Senate nominee Adam Hamilton was blunter about the geography. "Having somebody from California come in and try to tell Kansans who they should vote for is a pretty bad idea," he told Politico.
Conservative outlets treated the exchange as a humiliation. RedState called it "fresh humiliation," and PJ Media described the MS NOW moment as "awkward." Left-leaning MS NOW framed Harris's answer as candidates being told to do "whatever" it takes to win.
What's Next
Harris said she still plans to campaign where she is wanted: "I look forward to being on the trail and helping folks where I can be helpful, but we have got to put a check on this lawless administration."
Alexander also asked whether she would run for president in 2028. "I'm focused on '26," Harris said. "And to be very serious about this, '28 doesn't matter if we don't win '26."
More
Harris's favorability stood at 42% at the end of last year, according to a YouGov poll cited by the New York Post — a number that helps explain why candidates in Trump-won states are keeping her at arm's length even as she raises her national profile ahead of a possible 2028 run.
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