Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester has announced he will not endorse Kamala Harris for president. This decision comes as a surprise, given Tester’s previous support for Harris.
Tester’s announcement comes on the heels of two former high profile Democratic leaders — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard — endorsing Harris’ rival, former President Donald Trump.
Tester, who led the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) from 2015 to 2017, reportedly played a role in encouraging Harris to run for the Senate.
He also endorsed her for vice president in 2020.
“I’m not going to endorse for the presidential – and I will tell you why,” Tester announced at a press conference in Hamilton, Montana. “Two reasons: No. 1, I’m focused on my race. And No. 2, folks have wanted to nationalize this race, and this isn’t about national politics. This is about Montana.”
Tester is running for his fourth term in a state that former President Trump won by 16 points in 2020. He faces a tough challenge from Republican Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL.
Tester’s campaign spokesperson, Monica Robinson, emphasized the senator’s independent stance.
“No matter who is in the White House, Jon Tester always does what’s right for Montana.”
Tester was one of the first senators to suggest President Biden should drop out of the 2024 race. He also skipped the Democratic National Convention where Harris accepted the nomination.
Sheehy criticized Tester’s decision, calling it a cheap political move.
“Jon Tester skipping Kamala Harris’ DNC coronation will not hide the fact that he launched her political career by recruiting her to the U.S. Senate and votes with her radical agenda 95% of the time,” Sheehy said.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan group, calls Tester’s race a “toss-up.” This means it could go either way in November.