BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana U.S. Senator Jon Tester is prioritizing the protection of reproductive freedoms in his campaign as he works to maintain his position as the only Democrat holding statewide elective office in Montana. Tester is actively engaging with reproductive health advocates, campaigning vigorously in support of abortion rights and supporting a proposal to enshrine abortion access in the state’s constitution.
Notably absent from his campaign rhetoric is any mention of Vice President Kamala Harris.
As control of the Senate looms in the upcoming election, Montana and Ohio’s Senate seats are being eyed as potential Republican gains. With former President Donald Trump likely to dominate in these traditionally Republican states, Democrats like Tester must navigate carefully to avoid alienating Trump supporters.
This delicate balancing act includes limiting references to Harris, whose association with a less favorable administration may not resonate in these regions, despite her role energizing abortion rights advocates nationwide.
In a recent interview, Tester expressed confidence that the commitment to safeguarding abortion access would resonate with voters from all political backgrounds. “I think it appeals to people across the board because it’s about freedom, and Montana is a freedom-loving state,” he stated. “This issue comes up more than any other issue.”
While Tester and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown might gain from any surge in engagement tied to Harris’s presidential campaign, such support would likely remain understated. Both politicians opted not to attend the recent Democratic National Convention.
Political analysts suggest that the Democratic party is not sufficiently leveraging the current environment in favor of their candidates. “Democrats are not capitalizing on this very well, not just in Montana but in general,” said a local political analyst.
Critics argue that Tester could benefit from aligning more closely with Harris, as her growing popularity could energize a significant base of support for him.
On the opposing front, Republicans are aggressively working to unseat Tester and his fellow senator. Both parties are heavily investing in advertising in Montana and Ohio, with total spending projected to reach $636 million in these races, underscoring the importance of these battleground states.
Despite a greater investment by Democrats in Montana, Republicans are focusing their efforts in Ohio. The substantial financial commitment equates to nearly $50 per registered voter in Ohio and over $300 in Montana.
Tester recently refrained from endorsing Harris, emphasizing that the Senate race should focus on local issues rather than national politics. While Tester engaged with constituents during the convention, his opponent, former U.S. Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy, has gained momentum through strong ties to Trump and high-profile campaign events.
In his campaign activities, Sheehy aims to link Tester to unpopular national figures, branding him as a pivotal vote for Democratic initiatives. His campaign rhetoric also highlights Tester’s voting history regarding significant legislation, including climate measures and immigration reforms.
Simultaneously, Brown is proactively campaigning in Ohio, reaching out to potential voters by emphasizing his support for reproductive rights and engaging community members directly.
As Brown faces his own electoral challenges, his Republican challenger, entrepreneur Bernie Moreno, is focused on addressing voters’ key concerns such as immigration and inflation, while downplaying the influence of abortion on voter turnout.
The political landscape in Ohio remains complex, with recent amendments reinforcing reproductive rights, even as economic issues dominate voter priorities. Advocates argue that protecting abortion rights is intrinsically linked to economic stability, reflecting the sentiments of constituents across the state.
In a recent rally, Tester rallied support around his advocacy for abortion rights, highlighting the urgency of the issue in Montana. “We’re going to the polls, we’re going to make sure that initiative passes, right?” he declared to an enthusiastic crowd.
However, amidst discussions of reproductive rights and economic factors, Harris’s name remains conspicuously unmentioned in Tester’s campaigning efforts.
