Key Takeaways
- Kamala Harris is campaigning for Democratic candidates across battleground states ahead of November 3, using the midterm cycle to rebuild her national coalition and test public appetite for a potential 2028 presidential bid she has yet to formally announce.
- A growing number of Democratic candidates — including the gubernatorial nominee in Iowa, the Senate contender in Kansas, and the Senate nominee in Alaska — have publicly stated they do not want Harris appearing at their events, citing fears of backlash over the Biden administration's record on inflation and immigration.
- An NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds 45 percent of registered voters say their congressional vote is primarily a protest against President Trump, giving Democrats a 12-point advantage on the generic ballot — though economic anxiety remains a persistent Democratic vulnerability heading into November.
