BS BULLETIN:
- Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she plans to campaign for Democrats in the 2026 midterms “where I can be helpful.”
- Several Democratic candidates in competitive or red states have publicly signaled that they would rather campaign without Harris or other national Democratic figures.
- Harris says candidates know their own races best and should do “whatever they need to do to win.”
Kamala Harris says she’s ready to hit the campaign trail for Democrats this fall — but some candidates aren’t exactly sending a limo to pick her up.
The former vice president told MS NOW’s Peter Alexander Thursday that Democrats need to win the 2026 midterms and that she intends to help candidates who believe her presence would be useful.
“We need to win,” Harris said. “And these candidates know what they need in their districts and their states.”
Harris said she looks forward to campaigning “where I can be helpful” and supports candidates doing “whatever they need to do to win.”
Asked about a possible 2028 presidential campaign, Harris said she is focused on the immediate election.
“’28 doesn’t matter if we don’t win ’26,” she said.
The comments come as some Democratic candidates running in states President Trump carried have made clear that they aren’t particularly interested in appearances by the party’s former presidential ticket.
In Iowa, Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek said he did not want Harris campaigning for him.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand similarly responded “no thanks” when asked about help from Harris or former President Joe Biden.
In Alaska, Senate candidate Mary Peltola has sought distance from national Democratic figures, with her campaign saying she isn’t seeking endorsements from politicians in the Lower 48.
Wisconsin congressional candidate Rebecca Cooke has also emphasized her independence from the national party, pointing out that she outperformed Harris in her district in 2024.
Kansas Democratic Senate nominee Adam Hamilton has likewise reportedly indicated that national party figures are not central to his strategy.
That doesn’t mean Harris is unwanted everywhere.
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff has accepted her help, and Harris has backed other candidates, including Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford.
For Harris, the approach appears to be pragmatic: campaign where candidates believe she helps and stay away where they don’t.
With control of Congress at stake, Democrats in difficult states are making the same calculation.
DBS WIRE SOURCES
- Fox News — Harris plans midterm campaigning as some Democrats keep their distance
- Mediaite — Harris says she’ll campaign where she can be helpful
- ABC News — Harris discusses 2026 and 2028
- TheWrap — Harris focuses on 2026 midterms
