Jul 24, 2024 - Politics & Policy

The Senate's last Harris holdout

April Rubin

Sen. Jon Tester is surrounded by reporters with phones or recorders near his face. — Sen. Jon Tester is questioned about President Biden's candidacy on July 9. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) is the lone holdout among Senate Democrats to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's presidential nominee.

Why it matters: Tester, one of the upper chamber's most vulnerable Democrats, has called for an open primary process, deviating from the bulk of Dems who have rallied behind Harris' candidacy.

Tester is seeking re-election in November in a state former President Trump won by almost 17 percentage points four years ago.

Catch up quick: Harris has surpassed the number of Democratic delegates needed to receive the nomination, according to an unofficial Associated Press tally.

The Democratic National Committee will host a "virtual roll call" to officially select its nominee ahead of the party's convention in August.

Between the lines: Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) — who will resign from the Senate on Aug. 20 — also hasn't endorsed Harris.

State of play: Tester was the second Senate Democrat to publicly call on Biden to drop out of the race.

Friction point: The GOP has capitalized on Tester's lack of outspoken support for Harris.

"Jon Tester recruited Kamala Harris," the National Republican Senatorial Committee said on X. "Now he's afraid to say he publicly supports her?"

Zoom out: Tester's November re-election in deep-red Montana is one of the November races that could determine which party controls the Senate.

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The Senate's last Harris holdout

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