Democrats Snub Kamala Harris and Biden in Plain Sight

The Laugh That Broke the Party

Two prominent Democrats running for office in Iowa just did something shocking. They barely contained their laughter when asked if they wanted Kamala Harris or Joe Biden to help them win. This is a massive shift for a party that usually clings to its leaders. These candidates are publicly rejecting the very people who lost the last election.

The moment happened at the Iowa State Fair in August. Rob Sand, the state auditor running for governor, faced a tough question from reporter Jonathan Martin. When asked if he wanted Biden to campaign for him, Sand did not give a polite answer. He said, “No. Can he even do that right now? I’m sorry.” That line stung, and it was clear he meant it.

Then the reporter asked about Kamala Harris. Sand’s response was just as sharp. “No thanks,” he said, according to Fox News, “Let’s move on. We need some new leadership.” He even shut down the idea of her running in 2028 with a simple “Nope.” This was not a whisper in a hallway. It was a public rejection on the campaign trail.

A Second Candidate Joins the Rejection

Rob Sand was not the only one feeling this way. State Rep. Josh Turek, a Paralympian running for the Senate, had a similar reaction. When asked if Harris should campaign for him, Turek could not hold back his chuckles. He simply said, “No.” The report noted that he looked like he could barely contain his guffaws.

Both men are trying to win big jobs in 2026. Sand wants to be governor, and Turek wants a Senate seat. They know the current party leaders are a liability. The report points out that Harris lost the general election to Donald Trump after spending over a billion dollars. Biden dropped his bid in 2024 after a poor debate performance. These candidates see the damage and they want to move past it.

It is rare to see Democrats turn on their own leaders so openly. Usually, they try to spin the narrative to make it look better. Here, they are just being honest about the failure. They are telling voters they need fresh faces, not the old team that lost.

The contrast here is stark and it tells a clear story. While these candidates run away from Harris and Biden, the Republican side is rallying around Donald Trump. President Trump recently endorsed Zach Lahn for the governor’s race. He called Lahn a “tremendous Candidate” on Truth Social. This endorsement comes as the GOP hopes to flip the seat.

Current Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, said she will not seek re-election. This opens the door for a major change in leadership. Sand is running against Lahn, who has the full backing of the former President. The Democrats are trying to distance themselves from their national brand while the Republicans lean into theirs.

It raises a big question about the future of the party. If the candidates in Iowa think Harris and Biden are toxic, what does that say for the rest of the country? Reports note that Al Sharpton asked Harris in April if she would run again. She said, “I might” and noted that she was “thinking about it.” But the voters in Iowa have already made up their minds.

The Cost of Staying the Course

Iowa voters will decide this race in 2026. They will see the choice clearly. On one side, you have a candidate who wants to leave the past behind. On the other, you have a party that is still stuck on the people who lost big. The numbers do not lie. Harris lost the election, and Biden stepped down. Sand and Turek are just the first to say it out loud.

This is a test of accountability. If the party leaders cannot win, they should not be dragging down the candidates who can. The Iowa Democrats are making a stand for new leadership.