Democrat Who Plays a Pivotal Role in Harris’ Rise To Power Withdraws His Support, Giving Reasons

A key Democrat who played a pivotal role in Vice President Kamala Harris’s rise to power has recently withdrawn his support for her in the upcoming presidential election.

Montana Senator Jon Tester, once instrumental in encouraging Harris’s Senate bid, has chosen not to endorse any candidate in this year’s presidential race. Tester’s decision is rooted in his commitment to focusing on his own re-election campaign and his desire to keep national politics separate from his Montana Senate race.

Tester, who served as the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) from 2015 to 2017, was a significant figure in Harris’s initial political ascent. The Los Angeles Times reported in January 2015 that Tester was one of the key individuals urging Harris to pursue a Senate seat, a position that eventually paved the way for her vice presidency. However, despite his past support, Tester has decided to distance himself from the Democratic presidential ticket in 2024.

During a recent press conference in Hamilton, Montana, Tester outlined his reasons for withholding an endorsement. He stated, “I’m not going to endorse for the presidential – and I will tell you why. Two reasons: No. 1, I’m focused on my race. And No. 2, folks have wanted to nationalize this race, and this isn’t about national politics. This is about Montana.” Tester’s comments reflect a strategic move to prioritize his re-election campaign in a state that former President Donald Trump won by a significant margin in 2020.

This is not the first time Tester has shown caution in aligning himself with the national Democratic agenda. While he endorsed Harris for vice president in 2020, tweeting his support and confidence in her ability to fight for working families, he has since maintained a careful distance from the current Democratic ticket. His campaign has emphasized that Tester has consistently prioritized Montana’s interests over national party politics, often standing up to the Biden-Harris administration on issues such as border security and energy regulations.

In a report by Fox News dated Monday August 26, 2024, Tester’s reluctance to endorse Harris comes at a time when he is facing one of the most crucial Senate races of the 2024 election cycle. His Republican opponent, former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, has been quick to capitalize on Tester’s past support for Harris, accusing him of backing a “radical agenda” that is out of touch with Montana voters. Sheehy has criticized Tester for his role in launching Harris’s political career and has vowed to defeat what he calls the “disastrous Harris-Tester agenda.”

Despite these attacks, Tester’s campaign remains focused on his record of defending Montana’s interests. His spokesperson, Monica Robinson, stated, “No matter who is in the White House, Jon Tester always does what’s right for Montana.” She emphasized that Tester’s strong record of bipartisan achievements, including over 20 bills signed into law by President Trump, is the reason he has received endorsements from Republicans across the state.

Tester’s decision to abstain from the Democratic National Convention, where Harris officially accepted the party’s nomination for president, further underscores his cautious approach. He was one of three vulnerable Senate Democrats who chose not to attend the convention, a move that highlights his focus on winning his Senate race in a state where national Democratic policies may not be popular.

The stakes are high for Tester, as his race is currently rated as a “toss-up” by The Cook Political Report, a leading nonpartisan political analyst. With Montana’s strong Republican leanings and the state’s support for Trump, Tester’s re-election bid is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races of the year.

In the broader context of the 2024 election, Tester’s decision not to endorse Harris reflects the challenges faced by Democrats in red states, where aligning too closely with the national party can be a political liability. As the election season heats up, Tester will continue to navigate the fine line between maintaining his independent political identity and addressing the concerns of Montana voters.

While Tester’s decision to withhold his endorsement may be seen as a pragmatic move to protect his Senate seat, it also signals the complexities within the Democratic Party as it grapples with internal divisions and the challenge of uniting behind a candidate who can appeal to a broad range of voters across the country. As the election unfolds, Tester’s actions will be closely scrutinized, not just by his constituents in Montana, but by political observers nationwide.