Kamala Harris is back on the campaign trail, but some Democrats would rather see the former vice president stay out of their states — or return to her Brentwood home.
Harris has been campaigning in Michigan for embattled Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, hoping to strengthen his support among Black voters. Yet her reputation for delivering awkward, difficult-to-follow answers has followed her to the stump.
Additional appearances are expected on behalf of Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Nevada gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford, the state’s attorney general. Still, some Democrats are making it clear they do not want Harris as a campaign surrogate.
Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor running as the Democratic Senate nominee in Kansas, has directly ruled out a visit from Harris.
“No offense to her, but she would not help me,” Hamilton told NBC. “We are a different kind of Democrat. I would say, please do not come to my state. I do not need you here. You would actually hurt me.”
“It makes sense to campaign in places where candidates believe a visit could make a difference. But among the potential 2028 contenders, she has been rejected repeatedly,” a Democratic strategist involved in midterm races told The Post.
“I would not consider her a leading surrogate. Her polling is atrocious,” a Republican source said, suggesting Harris might be useful in only a handful of states, including Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi.
The source added that Harris still responds to many questions with what critics describe as “word salad,” arguing that her main benefit may be helping drive turnout among African American voters.
At a Detroit maternal and infant health center Tuesday, Harris sparked fresh mockery with a convoluted reference to what “Black people and Black birthing people need in order to move themselves forward.”
“That’s a whole lot of word salad,” one Democratic operative said.
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Harris later argued that attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion amount to attacks on maternal health, including efforts to protect Black women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. She did not elaborate on the connection.
El-Sayed appeared to stare forward without reacting.
The moment came as El-Sayed’s views on Israel remain a major point of contention, with critics warning that his position could alienate more traditional Democratic voters. Harris did not directly address the issue.
“It’s OK not to be in love with a candidate,” Harris said during an NAACP forum in Detroit that El-Sayed did not attend.
During the appearance, Harris also launched into an extended discussion about Michigan’s size and importance without offering much concrete detail.
“Whether it was the conversations we would have in the context of the caucus, or the senator from Michigan walking onto the floor of the Senate and the voice they carry because of the size, the nature and the significance of the population of the people in this state, his will be a voice — Abdul’s — representing the people of this state, and it will be a national voice,” she said.
The wording recalled Harris’ earlier phrase, “I can imagine what can be, and be unburdened by what has been,” a line frequently featured in compilations of her more circuitous public statements.
Despite the criticism, Harris remains the leading Democrat in the RealClearPolitics average of potential 2028 presidential candidates, with roughly 25% support. Skeptics, however, say that figure reflects strong name recognition more than firm enthusiasm.
According to sources, Harris is searching for a limited number of campaign events that could benefit both her and the candidates involved. The effort follows an awkward episode in which Alaska Senate candidate Rep. Mary Peltola rejected a Harris fundraising email that promoted her support.
A July Harvard Harris poll found Harris underwater with voters, recording a 41% favorable rating against 48% who viewed her unfavorably.
That’s a reversal from her high point weeks before her election loss to President Trump, when Harris had a 48% approval rating, according to Gallup.
