Former Biden Officials Navigate Campaigns for Governor in 2026

Three former officials from the Biden administration are vying for gubernatorial positions in the 2026 elections. These candidates include Deb Haaland in New Mexico, Xavier Becerra in California, and Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia. They highlight their experience in the administration while cautiously avoiding a strong association with Joe Biden, amid ongoing negative headlines about the former president.

Candidate Strategies and Challenges

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, running in New Mexico, often praises Biden but seldom mentions him by name in campaign ads, focusing instead on her achievements in conservation and renewable energy.

In California, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasizes his roles as state attorney general and congressional representative alongside his Biden-era achievements in healthcare. Despite facing criticism from colleagues for claiming credit on certain achievements, Becerra points to his experience to strengthen his campaign.

Keisha Lance Bottoms, former director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, has received Biden’s endorsement. While she cites her administration’s accomplishments in student loan forgiveness and small business support, she avoids using this connection in ads.

Diverse Democratic Connections

Haaland is favored in New Mexico’s Democratic primary. She praises Biden as a partner to Indigenous people, referencing his apology for Native American boarding school policies. Her candidacy focuses on resisting Trump’s policies.

Becerra, involved in a highly competitive primary, refrains from overt references to Biden but acknowledges his administration’s achievements in healthcare expansion and drug price negotiations.

Bottoms, already the Democratic nominee in Georgia, has publicized Biden’s endorsement. Her campaign concentrates on improving costs and opposing Trump-centered chaos.

Democratic strategists state that voters prioritize candidates’ fight against Trump’s policies over their Biden connections. These candidates had established political profiles before their roles in the Biden administration, with Haaland known for her historic congressional election and Bottoms as Atlanta’s former mayor.

Implications for Swing Voters

Whether these Biden affiliations impact the November elections, particularly in Georgia, remains uncertain. Republican opponents continually advocate MAGA-focused messages, potentially influencing the political strategy in these matchups.