Democrats know Kamala is not a strong leader.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, who is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats facing re-election this November, has been notably reticent about her stance on Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential bid. On Wednesday, as she walked through Capitol Hill, Perez was repeatedly asked whether she supports Harris for president. Despite her status as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, Perez chose not to address the question and continued on her way.
Further probing about Harris’s performance as the Biden administration’s “border czar” also went unanswered. A spokesperson for Perez’s campaign later confirmed to Fox News Digital that she has “no plans” to endorse Harris at this time.
Interestingly, Perez did make a statement of sorts when she became one of only six Democrats in the House to vote for a resolution condemning the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. southern border. This vote is the first direct legislative action targeting Harris’s performance since she emerged as the presumed 2024 Democratic nominee.
The lack of response from Perez regarding Harris’s border policies has been noted by critics. National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Ben Petersen remarked, “Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s silence on the border crisis and her evasion regarding Kamala Harris’s record as border czar reveal a troubling disregard for the pressing issues affecting her district. Her reluctance to take a firm stance suggests a greater concern for pleasing party leaders than addressing the challenges faced by her constituents.”
Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, a battleground area that borders Portland, Oregon, is seen as highly vulnerable in the upcoming election. Her 2022 victory was narrow, and the Cook Political Report currently deems her race a “Democrat toss up.”
Despite being one of the few Democrats yet to endorse Harris, Gluesenkamp Perez has expressed a preference for Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the vice presidential race, according to Politico.