Democratic Candidates Snub Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Democratic candidates in competitive House and Senate races are avoiding Kamala Harris and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as they campaign for the midterm elections. Despite both women being viewed as leading prospects for the 2028 presidential nomination, party officials and candidates in key battlegrounds have kept them at arm's length or explicitly instructed their teams to stay away.

In Iowa, gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand and Senate nominee Josh Turek both declined requests for Harris to campaign for them. Sand stated that the party needs "new leadership." In Alaska, Senate candidate Mary Peltola distanced herself from Harris following an unauthorized fundraising appeal.

Ocasio-Cortez has faced similar snubs in competitive districts, including New York's 17th District. In Montana, House candidate Sam Forstag removed her endorsement from his website. Other potential 2028 contenders, such as Pete Buttigieg and Mark Kelly, continue to receive invitations to campaign in competitive districts.