A growing divide has emerged among Democratic candidates in competitive races over whether former Vice President Kamala Harris serves as a strategic asset or liability for their campaigns.
Some Democrats in swing districts have expressed hesitation about leveraging Harris’ influence, highlighting an internal party struggle regarding leadership and direction following her 2024 presidential defeat.
Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand explicitly declined assistance from Harris or former President Joe Biden, stating: “No thanks. Let’s move on. We need some new leadership.”
Similarly, Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek has rejected Harris’ potential campaign support.
Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons, Harris’ former communications director, noted that the decision hinges heavily on geography: “The VP did very well in some places and didn’t do great in others, and if you’re in a state where she didn’t perform well, it may not help you to have her campaign with you this fall.”
“Each candidate has a different problem they’re trying to solve,” he added.
Former Biden administration official Anthony Coley emphasized that Democrats competing in Republican-leaning areas must “distinguish themselves from a national Democratic brand that is deeply unpopular.” He stated: “As the party’s most recent presidential nominee, Kamala Harris is closely tied to that brand.”
Coley also noted Harris still has strong support among many Democrats but stressed: “This speaks to the tough political terrain outside blue states and to the work Harris must do to recast herself as a populist, antiestablishment fighter if she wants to run for president again and expand the electoral map.”
Democratic donor John Morgan described Harris as “a huge liability,” citing recent events in Alaska where Republican efforts linked Senate candidate Mary Peltola with Harris after her PAC raised funds for her.
An unnamed Democratic strategist similarly pointed to Harris’ 2024 performance: “Look, the reality is, she underperformed in Michigan, particularly in places like Dearborn. And Elissa Slotkin was on the ballot and won. So that says a lot.” The strategist added that Harris could potentially aid Democrats in more friendly regions such as North Carolina’s Research Triangle.
Meanwhile, some Democratic candidates have embraced Harris. Senator Jon Ossoff’s Georgia campaign stated: “Senator Ossoff is grateful for Vice President Harris’ help and support in his re-election campaign.”
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan’s campaign noted: “Peggy was proud to campaign for Vice President Harris and appreciated her calling to congratulate her following her primary victory. Peggy values her relationship with Vice President Harris and remains focused on the leadership Minnesotans are looking for a fighter who will take on the Trump administration and its reckless abuses of power.”
The split comes as Democrats grapple with a larger question: who will become the party’s next national standard-bearer.
Harris remains a potential 2028 contender, while the party’s socialist wing has grown stronger in major urban areas. The Democratic Socialists of America openly advocates redirecting police funding as part of a path toward abolishing police and prisons and ending U.S. military and economic aid to Israel.
This growing influence of progressive factions gives Republicans potential lines of attack as Democrats compete for moderate and swing voters nationally.
Harris’ own rise also reflected Democrats’ increased emphasis on racial and gender representation in 2020. Biden publicly promised to select a woman as his running mate, while Black activists and Democratic leaders pressed him to choose a Black woman following the George Floyd protests. Harris ultimately became the first female, first Black woman, and first person of South Asian descent elected vice president.
Democratic strategist Maria Cardona cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions: “What we all want here is for our candidates to win no matter where they are.” She added that no one should be taking this personally.
Georgia Democratic strategist Fred Hicks suggested another consideration may already be 2028: “people do not want to be seen as taking a side in 2028.” He stated: “It’s not as much about the past as it is about the future.”
