As the 2026 election approaches, several Democratic candidates are campaigning in states that backed Donald Trump in 2024, and some even in earlier contests. This occurs despite their records, endorsements, and affiliations clashing with the values of many constituents.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris faced a setback in Alaska during her presidential primary. She also raised funds for Senate hopeful Mary Peltola. Peltola has endorsed Deb Haaland for the role of Interior Secretary, despite Haaland’s earlier stances advocating for an end to deportations and dismantling ICE. Interestingly, not one supporter of Peltola in the House or Senate voted for a bill aimed at enabling Alaska’s resource development. Her financial supporters include progressive entities like the Human Rights Campaign, which has criticized Indivisible, a group aimed at countering Critical Race Theory, initiated to oppose Trump’s policies.
In Iowa, Senate candidates Josh Turek and Nathan Sage participated in a “No Kings” rally against the former president. Sage has made some provocative comments, calling the decision to send Marines to Los Angeles during civil unrest “insane” and a “perversion” of military duties. Iowa Senator Zach Walls, also a Senate candidate, has repeatedly criticized Trump on X, accusing him of dishonesty regarding tax cuts, spending, and the border situation. He has voiced concerns over inflation and the coronavirus, describing Trump’s leadership as harmful from 2015 to 2024.
Michigan Senate contender Abdul El-Sayed labeled Donald Trump as an “existential threat” and suggested he promotes “ethnic cleansing.” His critique has been unwavering, even after an assassination attempt against Trump in July 2024. Conversely, Rep. Haley Stevens, another Senate candidate, has voted against Trump 85.9 percent of the time during his second term and 89 percent throughout her congressional career, yet has rejected several key Trump initiatives, including tax cuts that benefitted working families in her district. Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow has raised funds for progressive groups focused on immigration and police reform.
In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper, who is pursuing a Senate seat, recalled National Guard troops from the U.S.-Mexico border to protest immigration policies. He labeled the proposed border wall as “unnecessary” in 2019 and has criticized Republicans for their border efforts as recently as 2024.
Ohio’s Sherrod Brown is running for the U.S. Senate and voted to lift Trump’s national emergency declaration regarding border wall construction, stating that the only “national emergency” exists in Trump’s mind. He supported convicting Trump in both impeachment trials, concerning abuse of power and incitement in relation to the events of January 6.
In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff, who is seeking re-election, has consistently opposed Trump’s policies, voting against 91.3 percent of his agenda. He opposed measures related to deportation and did not approve numerous Cabinet appointments during Trump’s second term, abstaining from some votes as well.
