In a televised interview with Fox News host Peter Alexander, former Vice President Kamala Harris addressed recent reports that Democratic leaders in states won by President Trump are urging her to stay away from their midterm races. Alexander showed a Politico headline that read, “Kamala Harris is wading into the midterms. Red‑state Dems want her to stay away,” and asked Harris to respond.
Harris replied, “Listen, Peter, we need to win, OK? Bottom line, we need to win. I have run locally, I’ve run for statewide office and, obviously, nationally. And these candidates know what they need to do to win, and I would expect nothing less. I look forward to being on the trail and helping folks where I can be helpful, but we have got to put a check on this lawless administration and deliver what Americans need and deserve. Lower costs, affordable healthcare, affordable childcare, you name it. So, I support them in doing whatever they need to do to win.”
Red‑state Democrats Push Back
According to Politico, several prominent Democratic candidates in Iowa, Alaska, Wisconsin, and Kansas have publicly asked Harris to keep her distance. An Iowa gubernatorial hopeful said he would not want President Biden or Harris campaigning for him. Alaska’s Democratic Senate nominee rejected a fundraising request Harris sent on her behalf. In Wisconsin, Democrat Rebecca Cooke, who is challenging Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, said she earned 9,000 more votes than Harris in 2024 and does not need her assistance.
“I do the work of building relationships — including across the aisle — on my own,” Cooke said.
Party Insiders Weigh In
Democratic consultant Julian Epstein told Fox News Digital that the party remains divided. “The problem with post‑modern Democrats is that they lack self‑awareness, especially when it comes to swing voters needed to win most elections,” he said. “Moderate Democrats don’t want Kamala because they think she’s an empty suit who can’t answer tough questions. They also think she’s way too far left. When confronted, Democrats have this reflex of deflecting, saying what’s really important is doubling down on a bloated welfare state, the same welfare state expansionism that failed us during the Biden years.”
Former RNC national spokesperson Elizabeth Pipko called Harris’s response “extremely weak and awkward,” noting that the former vice president is already hinting at a 2028 presidential run while being rejected by members of her own party. “It’s a sad state of affairs when the former vice president is asked to remain off the campaign trail because so many Democrats believe her record and unpopularity will hurt their chances,” Pipko said.
Harris’s 2026 Focus
When asked whether she would consider a presidential bid in 2028, Harris said, “I’m focused on ’26. ’28 doesn’t matter if we don’t win ’26.” She emphasized that the Democratic Party must secure victories in the upcoming midterms before looking ahead to the next presidential cycle.
The interview highlights a growing tension within the Democratic Party between national leaders who seek to leverage high‑profile figures like Harris and grassroots candidates in traditionally Republican states who fear that such involvement could alienate swing voters. As the 2026 midterms approach, the party will need to balance the desire for national visibility with the practical realities of winning in red‑state districts.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
