Montana Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) has sparked controversy by reversing his earlier stance on endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 presidential election. Just a day after stating that it was more critical to elect Harris than for him to win re-election, Tester now says he will not endorse Harris, signaling a shift in focus to his own re-election campaign.
During a press conference in Missoula, Tester explained his decision to abstain from endorsing Harris or any presidential candidate. He cited two primary reasons: his need to concentrate on his own Senate race and his desire to prevent his campaign from being "nationalized." Tester emphasized that the issues at stake in his re-election are specific to Montana and should not be overshadowed by the national political scene. "I’m not going to endorse for the presidential, and I’ll tell you why," Tester said. "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 backtrack is notable because just the previous day, Tester had suggested that Harris’s success in the presidential election was more critical than his own re-election, a statement that aligned him with those urging President Joe Biden to step down and allow Harris to lead the Democratic ticket. "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," Tester had stated.
However, his sudden change of heart has led to accusations of political opportunism, with critics suggesting that Tester is attempting to distance himself from the increasingly polarizing figure of Harris. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) was quick to respond, with spokeswoman Maggie Abboud accusing Tester of being a "two-faced politician" who cannot stand by his record of voting with Harris. "This embarrassing backtrack is the latest in a series of flip flops from a desperate, two-faced politician who lies to voters as easily as he breathes," Abboud stated, underscoring the NRSC's view that Tester’s refusal to endorse Harris is a calculated move to appeal to Montana’s conservative electorate.
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’s dilemma is compounded by the political climate in Montana, where national Democratic figures, particularly Harris, are deeply unpopular. Harris's potential candidacy could be a significant liability for Tester, who is already facing a challenging re-election battle against Republican candidate Tim Sheehy. Polls show Sheehy leading Tester, highlighting the uphill battle the three-term senator faces.
The Montana Democratic Party has also been cautious in its approach to Harris’s ascent as the presumptive Democratic nominee. Party officials, including state chair Robyn Driscoll, were notably absent from a call where other state party committees endorsed Harris. A spokesperson for the Montana Democratic Party indicated that the party was waiting for further guidance from the Democratic National Committee before making any formal endorsement. This hesitancy reflects the broader unease among Montana Democrats about fully embracing Harris, given the state’s conservative leanings.
Tester’s refusal to endorse Harris is in line with his history of distancing himself from national Democratic politics during re-election years. Throughout his 18-year Senate career, Tester has never endorsed a presumptive Democratic nominee during a year when he was up for re-election. He has also never attended a Democratic National Convention in such years, a tradition that appears to be continuing in 2024.
The implications of Tester’s decision are significant, both for his campaign and for the Democratic Party’s strategy in Montana. As Tester navigates the challenges of running in a red-leaning state, his refusal to endorse Harris may be an attempt to appeal to moderate and independent voters who are wary of the national Democratic agenda. However, this move could alienate the party’s progressive base, potentially weakening Tester’s support among Democrats.
