Former Biden White House Officials Running for Governor in 2026: Emphasizing Experience Without Direct References
Three former Biden White House officials are running for governor in 2026, emphasizing their experience in the administration while carefully avoiding direct references to the former president. Deb Haaland in New Mexico, Xavier Becerra in California, and Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia highlight their time in the administration as a qualification for leading their states. However, they have refrained from mentioning Joe Biden by name in their campaign events and ads, unlike Republican candidates who have embraced Donald Trump's legacy.
Biden has been grappling with negative headlines post-presidency, including the release of the Democratic National Committee's "autopsy" of the 2024 election and Jill Biden's concerns about his health during a debate. Becerra, running in California's gubernatorial race, touts his tenure as Biden's health secretary and other accomplishments but has not directly referenced Biden in his campaign. His opponents criticize his handling of various challenges but not his association with Biden.
Haaland, a favorite in New Mexico's Democratic primary, has praised Biden for his partnership with Indigenous people and his apology for a harmful Native American boarding school policy. She has highlighted her achievements as interior secretary in conservation and renewable energy projects. Bottoms, who received Biden's first post-presidential endorsement, has expressed gratitude for the administration's accomplishments but has not featured her Biden ties in campaign ads.
While these candidates acknowledge their ties to Biden, they focus on their individual accomplishments and qualifications for the governorship. They aim to appeal to voters based on their own merits rather than their association with the former president. Haaland, Becerra, and Bottoms navigate the delicate balance of leveraging their administration experience while maintaining a distinct campaign identity.