As Kamala Harris takes the lead in the 2024 presidential race, Senate Democrats facing tough reelection battles in key battleground states are rejoining her on the campaign trail. After largely avoiding Joe Biden’s July events due to his declining political fortunes, these Democrats are now rallying around Harris, hoping to ride the momentum she is building.
Harris Reignites Democratic Support
Harris’s campaign has seen a significant resurgence, drawing in prominent Democratic figures who were previously distancing themselves from Biden. Senator Bob Casey joined Harris and Tim Walz at their debut rally in Philadelphia, emphasizing Harris’s strong background as a prosecutor who “[put] away dangerous criminals.” In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Senator Tammy Baldwin lauded the Harris-Walz ticket as “a new beginning for our party and our country.” Meanwhile, Representative Elissa Slotkin, running for an open Senate seat in Michigan, delivered a fiery speech in suburban Detroit, criticizing Donald Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio.
“The other side of the aisle is going to claim that they care about the middle class. They’re going to claim that they care about your jobs. What they want is your vote. They do not give a living crap about you,” Slotkin said, making clear her support for the Democratic ticket.
Harris Gains Ground as Biden Struggles
The shift in support for Harris highlights the changing dynamics of the race. Recent polls indicate that Harris is recovering the ground that Biden lost among younger voters and voters of color, narrowing the gap with Trump. A Marquette Law School poll released earlier this week shows Harris and Trump nearly tied, with Harris at 50% and Trump at 49%. Additionally, Baldwin is leading her likely Republican opponent, Eric Hovde, by a narrow margin of 52% to 47%.
Harris’s campaign strategy continues Biden’s efforts to maintain the “Blue Wall” in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin—all of which are crucial battlegrounds with competitive Senate races. At the same time, she is making a strong push in the Sun Belt, targeting younger and more diverse voters in states like Arizona and Nevada, where Democrats are also defending Senate seats.
Democratic Candidates Align with Harris
While some Democrats, like Casey, remained loyal to Biden even as his reelection prospects dimmed, others were more cautious. Senator Tammy Baldwin avoided Biden during his visit to Madison last month, opting to continue her campaign events in northern Wisconsin instead. Similarly, Slotkin skipped Biden’s July visit to Detroit. However, these Democrats are now stepping back into the spotlight alongside Harris.
Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada is set to join Harris at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, while Representative Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who recently secured the Democratic nomination for the seat currently held by retiring Senator Kyrsten Sinema, has yet to confirm whether he will attend the Harris campaign’s Friday rally in Phoenix.
Challenges Ahead for Senate Democrats
Even if Harris wins the presidency, Democrats face an uphill battle to retain control of the Senate. With Republicans almost certain to capture the seat of retiring independent Senator Joe Manchin in West Virginia, they would only need one more pick-up to flip the chamber. While swing-state Democrats are aligning themselves with Harris, the party still needs Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Jon Tester of Montana to win in November—states that Harris is unlikely to visit.
Meanwhile, Trump is continuing his campaign efforts, planning a visit to Montana on Friday to support Tim Sheehy, Tester’s Republican opponent.
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Senate Democrats facing tough reelection battles are rejoining Kamala Harris’s campaign as her popularity surges, signaling a shift in support after distancing themselves from Joe Biden.
Keyword: Senate Democrats rejoin Harris
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