As the 2024 election approaches, former President Joe Biden’s influence wanes among Democrats, with many candidates distancing themselves from his legacy.
Former President Joe Biden is set to be honored by South Carolina Democrats later this month, commemorating the sixth anniversary of his decisive victory in the Palmetto State primary. This win was pivotal in propelling Biden to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and ultimately to the White House. However, as the 2024 elections draw near, a noticeable shift is occurring within the Democratic Party.
Many Democratic candidates are distancing themselves from Biden, reflecting the party’s ongoing struggles and dissatisfaction with his presidency. A recent report from Axios highlights that nine candidates who previously served in the Biden administration are opting to keep their distance from the former president as they campaign for gubernatorial and congressional positions this election cycle.
The Democratic Party is still reeling from significant setbacks in the 2024 elections, exacerbated by Biden’s unpopularity and concerns regarding his physical and mental fitness, particularly following a challenging debate with now-President Donald Trump. As a result, the upcoming South Carolina celebration appears to be an anomaly rather than a rallying point for the party.
Biden concluded his presidency with approval ratings that were notably low, and the 13 months since he left office have not improved his standing among party members. “Biden remains a liability,” a seasoned Democratic strategist, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Fox News Digital. “Being associated with the Biden administration is doing some candidates no favors as they run this year.”
This marks a significant change from the 2018 midterm elections, when Democrats were out of power and sought to leverage the popularity of former President Barack Obama and Biden on the campaign trail. In contrast, candidates this cycle are often avoiding any mention of Biden.
For instance, Deb Haaland, a former House member from New Mexico and the former Secretary of the Interior, is running for governor in her state but does not reference Biden on her campaign website. Similarly, Xavier Becerra, who served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under Biden, has not included any mention of the former president in his campaign launch video for California governor.
While some Biden alumni running in solidly blue districts do highlight their service during his administration, such as Democratic congressional candidate Sanjyot Dunung in Illinois’ 8th District, the trend appears to lean towards distancing from Biden’s legacy.
As the political landscape evolves, it remains uncertain whether Biden’s presence will hinder potential 2028 presidential contenders who were part of his administration. Figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are viewed as potential candidates for the White House.
For Democrats hoping to keep Biden out of the spotlight, the former president has largely complied. Since leaving office, he has made only a handful of high-profile public appearances and participated in just a couple of major interviews.
Fox News reached out to Biden’s post-presidency team for comment but did not receive a response before this article was published, leaving questions about his ongoing influence within the party unanswered.
As the 2024 elections approach, the dynamics within the Democratic Party continue to shift, with many candidates navigating their campaigns without the backing of the former president.
According to Axios, the distancing from Biden reflects a broader trend among Democrats as they prepare for the upcoming electoral challenges.