Senator Jon Tester, a vulnerable Democrat from Montana, continues to resist endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. Tester, who is facing a tight re-election battle, has stated that he will not publicly support any candidate for president, choosing instead to focus on his own campaign.
Despite serving as a key player in Harris' initial Senate bid back in 2015 when he chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Tester has made it clear that he will not make any endorsements this time around. He has emphasized that his priority is working with whoever wins the presidency to benefit the people of Montana, rather than taking a side in the national race. "Whoever gets elected, I can guarantee you one thing, I’ll work with them when they’re doing good things for Montana, and I’ll hold them accountable when they’re not," Tester stated in an interview.
This gentleman is right. If Kamala Harris is going to accomplish meaningful things, we need to win the fucking Senate. All hands on deck for Montana's Jon Tester. 🙌🙏👏🌊🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/A7rHuom1mr
— Bill Madden (@maddenifico) September 22, 2024
This reluctance to back Harris, however, has drawn criticism from his Republican opponent, former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy. Sheehy has argued that Tester’s voting record speaks louder than his lack of endorsement, pointing out that Tester has voted in line with Harris 95% of the time. Sheehy’s campaign contends that Tester’s actions, such as supporting policies linked to rising inflation and an open southern border, amount to an implicit endorsement of Harris' "failed agenda".
Tester’s hesitation reflects a broader trend among some vulnerable Democrats, particularly in battleground states, who are keeping Harris at arm's length. Harris has struggled to gain solid support from key swing-state Democrats, many of whom are concerned about her lack of appeal among independent voters and moderate Democrats. The political stakes are high, as control of the Senate could hinge on races like Tester’s in Montana.
#MTPol: "There are two Jon Testers: the one we see on TV in Montana and the real Tester who votes with Biden and Kamala in Washington."
Sheehy Victory Committee is up with this new ad today. The #MTSen general election has seen $182.5M in total spending and reservations. pic.twitter.com/Bnn7c2hIYC
— AdImpact Politics (@AdImpact_Pol) August 29, 2024
Despite pressure from within his own party, Tester remains steadfast in his decision. His choice not to endorse Harris is especially noteworthy given his previous support for her in 2020, when he praised her as a "proven fighter" and an "excellent pick for Vice President".
Now, however, the political landscape has shifted, and Tester appears to be calculating that distancing himself from Harris could help him in a state that has leaned Republican in recent elections.
Montana’s conservative tilt presents a significant challenge for Tester. Polls show his opponent Sheehy with a lead, and political forecasters have shifted their predictions for the Montana Senate race from "toss-up" to "lean Republican." A recent AARP survey shows Sheehy ahead by six points, a gap that widens to eight points when third-party candidates are factored in.
Tester’s decision to avoid endorsing Harris also reflects broader uncertainties within the Democratic Party about Harris’ ability to galvanize the base. Harris, while enjoying support from younger voters and people of color, has struggled to gain traction in swing districts, where some Democrats fear her candidacy could hurt their chances of re-election.
