Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who is running in one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country, has yet to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, despite recruiting her to the Senate and calling her a “friend.”
Several prominent Democrats endorsed Harris for president after President Biden resigned, but when Fox News Digital reached out this week about her support, Tester’s office pointed to a Sunday Press release Tester thanking Biden for his public service and his support of an open nomination process.
Tester’s office did not respond when asked whether he would wait until after the Democratic National Convention in August to endorse Harris, given that talk of an open primary appears to have died down and Harris has Locked the delegates necessary for the appointment.
Tester’s relationship with Harris goes back many years, and the Montana senator was would be directly involved by recruiting Harris to the Senate in 2015 while he was chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).
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Senator Tester has not officially endorsed Vice President Harris for president (Getty Images)
“It allows me to participate in leadership meetings and influence the direction of the party, what the party is going to do… to focus on the things that are important,” The tester said about his role at DSCC in 2014.
In 2020, Tester called Harris a “friend” while touting her nomination for vice president in a social media post.
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 12: Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) questions U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on September 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer)
“It is surprising that Jon Tester would try to distance himself from Kamala Harris after recruiting her to run for Senate, strongly endorsing her for vice president, and voting with her 100% of the time on her decisive Senate votes,” NRSC spokesperson Maggie Abboud told Fox News Digital in a statement.
“It appears Tester is trying to mislead voters in this election year.”
Tester is widely seen as one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the Senate as he seeks reelection in a state that former President Trump won by 16 points in 2020.
Tester, who has tried to portray his record as more moderate as he faces a tough re-election bid, called on Biden to resign last week after speaking with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Fox News Digital reported.
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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on abortion at Howard University, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
The Cook Political Report rates Tester’s race as “undecided.”
