Biden Alumni Run for Governor, Downplay Ties
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- Deb Haaland advanced to the general election for New Mexico governor but did not mention Joe Biden in her nomination speech or on her campaign website, despite her role as former Interior Secretary.
- Xavier Becerra won the Democratic nomination for California governor and, like Haaland, omitted any reference to Biden in his primary night remarks or official campaign biography.
- Keisha Lance Bottoms secured the Georgia Democratic nomination for governor, received Biden’s formal endorsement, and shared it widely, yet rarely discusses her White House role on the campaign trail.
- Jill Biden’s memoir and public comments reignited党内 tensions, with former aides criticizing the family’s reemergence, especially her claim that the Democratic Party abandoned Joe Biden before his exit.
- Republicans plan to weaponize the candidates’ Biden ties in the general election, with the Republican Governors Association calling Haaland’s record a betrayal of New Mexico under Biden’s 'failed policies'.
- Joe Biden has not publicly endorsed Haaland or Becerra, and some Democratic operatives suggest distancing from the Biden brand may be a strategic necessity in 2024.
Why it matters: With only about one-quarter of Americans viewing Biden as a 'good' or 'great' president, Democratic candidates are navigating a weakened brand. Those who served in his administration may gain credibility on governance experience but risk alienating voters turned off by his legacy—forcing a delicate balance between leveraging insider expertise and distancing from a tarnished name.
