Former Vice President Kamala Harris said on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, that she supports Democratic candidates in Republican-leaning states who have declined her endorsement or campaign support. In an interview with MS NOW’s “State of Play,” Harris stated she supports candidates doing “whatever they need to do to win” their races. She noted that as someone who has run in local, state, and national elections, she understands that candidates know what they need to do in their specific jurisdictions.
The remarks follow public rejections from several Democratic candidates. In Iowa, gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand and Senate candidate Josh Turek have both said they do not want Harris campaigning for them. Sand told reporters in August that the party needs "new leadership" and answered "nope" when asked if Harris should run for president again in 2028. In Alaska, the campaign of Mary Peltola, who is running for Senate, rejected support after Harris’s PAC sent an unsolicited fundraising email on Peltola's behalf, stating she is not seeking endorsements from "anyone from the Lower 48."
Other candidates who have distanced themselves from Harris include Adam Hamilton, the Democratic Senate nominee in Kansas, and Rebecca Cooke, a House candidate in Wisconsin. Conversely, some Democrats have welcomed her support. Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed expressed gratitude for her endorsement after his primary win, and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has also accepted her backing. While Harris has not officially announced a 2028 presidential bid, she told MS NOW that "’28 doesn’t matter if we don’t win ’26," and she previously stated in April that she is "thinking about" a future run.
The decision by candidates in states like Iowa, Alaska, and Kansas to distance themselves from a former vice president comes as the Democratic Party attempts to regain control of both chambers of Congress during the final two years of President Trump’s term. For the candidates, the choice to move away from national leaders is often aimed at winning over independent and Republican voters. In Iowa, for example, Rob Sand is running against Republican Zach Lahn and has argued that the two-party system is "fundamentally broken."
The rejections have also highlighted early 2028 presidential polling and primary planning. While Harris remains at or near the top of national surveys, a Saint Anselm College poll from Aug. 17-18 showed her in sixth place in New Hampshire with 3 percent support, trailing other potential contenders like Pete Buttigieg and Gavin Newsom. As the 2026 midterms approach, Harris is scheduled to appear on the trail with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford next month, while the Democratic National Committee has approved a 2028 primary calendar that places New Hampshire third.