Politics
Some red-state Democratic candidates distance themselves from Biden and Harris ahead of midterms
Candidates in conservative states such as Iowa and Alaska are declining campaign support from the former presidential ticket to appeal to moderate and independent voters.
The short version
- Multiple Democratic candidates running in conservative states are rejecting endorsements and campaign appearances from former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
- Nominees including Iowa's Josh Turek and Rob Sand and Alaska's Mary Peltola are seeking to appeal to independent and moderate Republican voters by distancing from national party leadership.
- In contrast, some Democratic candidates in other districts, such as Dan Koh in Massachusetts and Chris Jones in Arkansas, have actively welcomed support from Biden or Harris.
Key facts
- Iowa Senate nominee Josh Turek and Iowa gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand both publicly declined campaign assistance from Biden and Harris.[ABC News]
- Alaska Senate nominee Mary Peltola's campaign stated she is not seeking endorsements from outside the state after distancing herself from a Harris political action committee fundraising email.[ABC News]
- Candidates in other races, including Dan Koh in Massachusetts and Chris Jones in Arkansas, have accepted or actively sought endorsements from Biden and Harris.[ABC News]
- Potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Pete Buttigieg, have campaigned for candidates in red states like Iowa.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The electoral impact of distancing from national party leaders on candidate performance in conservative states remains uncertain until the midterm elections.[ABC News]
Sources
- Why some Democrats running in red states are pushing away Biden, HarrisABC News - Top Stories