Democrats know Kamala is too far-left to be an effective president.
Montana’s Senator Jon Tester, who has been in the spotlight due to his vulnerability in the upcoming election, has announced that he will not be endorsing a candidate in the presidential race, despite his past involvement with Vice President Kamala Harris. Tester, who once played a role in encouraging Harris to pursue her Senate seat in California, is now distancing himself from national politics as he focuses on his own re-election campaign.
Tester, who chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) from 2015 to 2017, was instrumental in supporting Democratic candidates, including Harris, when she first sought a Senate seat. Reports from January 2015 indicate that Tester was among those urging Harris to run for the Senate. However, despite his previous support, Tester has decided not to endorse any presidential candidate this cycle. He explained his decision during a recent press conference in Hamilton, Montana, stating that his primary focus is on his re-election race. He added that national politics should not overshadow Montana’s local issues, emphasizing, “This race is about Montana, not national politics.”
In 2020, Tester publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for vice president, praising her as a strong advocate for working families. However, Tester’s current stance reveals a clear shift as he navigates a challenging re-election campaign in a state that overwhelmingly supported former President Trump in the 2020 election.
Monica Robinson, spokesperson for Montanans for Tester, defended the senator’s approach, noting that Tester has consistently prioritized Montana’s interests over national party lines. Robinson highlighted Tester’s record of standing up to the Biden-Harris administration on key issues such as border security and energy regulations, emphasizing that his efforts align with Montana’s values.
In contrast, Tester’s opponent in the upcoming election, former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, has criticized Tester for his past support of Harris and his alignment with the Democratic agenda. Sheehy argues that Tester’s policies are out of touch with Montana’s priorities and promises to challenge Tester’s record, suggesting that Montanans will reject his agenda in favor of a more conservative direction.
With Tester’s race deemed a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report, the outcome will likely be influenced by how well Tester can balance local interests with his national party affiliations, and how effectively Sheehy can capitalize on Tester’s controversial ties and policy decisions.