Jon Tester Withdraws Kamala Harris Endorsement, Focuses on Montana Campaign During Re-Election Fight

Jon Tester, the Senator from Montana, caused a stir by retracting his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. This decision, made just a day after stating the importance of Harris’s election over his own re-election, has shifted his focus to his re-election campaign in Montana.

Tester, in a press conference in Missoula, clarified that he will not be endorsing Harris or any other presidential candidate. He highlighted two main reasons for this choice: the necessity to direct his efforts toward his Senate race and to prevent his campaign from becoming a national issue. He stressed that the issues at hand in his re-election bid are specific to Montana and should not be overshadowed by national politics. Tester explained, “I’m not going to endorse for the presidential, and I’ll tell you why. Because I’m focused on my race, and number two, people want to nationalize this race, and this isn’t about national politics. This is about Montana.”

Now get rid of John Tester for the WIN. https://t.co/GR3BG0h7v3

— JohnMBrowning (@KenRoamer) August 19, 2024

This reversal is notable, as Tester had previously suggested that the success of Harris in the presidential election was more crucial than his own re-election. This aligns with calls for President Joe Biden to step down and let Harris lead the Democratic ticket. Tester had stated, “There’s a lot at stake here. There’s democracy at stake, there’s rural America at stake, there’s how we treat one another at stake.”

However, his sudden change of heart has sparked accusations of political opportunism, with critics claiming that Tester is trying to distance himself from the divisive figure of Harris. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) wasted no time in responding, with spokeswoman Maggie Abboud accusing Tester of being a “two-faced politician” who cannot stand by his record of supporting Harris. Abboud emphasized that Tester’s refusal to endorse Harris is seen as a strategic move to appeal to the conservative electorate in Montana.

Vote out the hippopotamus John Tester Montana. It’s time to retire the proven liar and radical agenda Tester has pushed on Montana. pic.twitter.com/3x4bPGKZWe

— Patriot Lady (@angelwoman501) August 10, 2024

Tester faces a challenge due to the unfavorable political climate in Montana, where national Democratic figures, particularly Harris, are met with disapproval. Harris’s potential candidacy could pose a significant problem for Tester, who is already in a tough re-election battle against Republican candidate Tim Sheehy. Surveys indicate that Sheehy is leading Tester, underscoring the challenging path the three-term senator is up against.

The Montana Democratic Party has been cautious regarding Harris’s rise as the presumed Democratic nominee. Party officials, including state chair Robyn Driscoll, were conspicuously absent from a meeting where other state party committees endorsed Harris. A spokesperson for the Montana Democratic Party mentioned that the party is awaiting further guidance from the Democratic National Committee before making any official endorsement. This hesitancy mirrors the general apprehension among Montana Democrats about fully embracing Harris, given the state’s conservative tendencies.

Tester’s decision not to endorse Harris aligns with his past pattern of distancing himself from national Democratic politics during re-election seasons. Throughout his 18-year tenure in the Senate, Tester has refrained from endorsing a presumptive Democratic nominee in years when he was up for re-election. He has also never attended a Democratic National Convention in such years, a tradition that seems to continue in 2024.

The consequences of Tester’s choice are significant, both for his campaign and the Democratic Party’s strategy in Montana. As Tester navigates the challenges of running in a predominantly conservative state, his decision not to endorse Harris may be an effort to attract moderate and independent voters who are wary of the national Democratic platform. However, this move could potentially alienate the party’s progressive base, weakening Tester’s support among Democrats.