Political Editor Savannah Witt
Published May 31, 2026
Three former Biden administration officials running for governor in 2026 are citing their federal service as a key credential while rarely mentioning the former president by name at events and avoiding any ads that reference him or use his image.
Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, Deb Haaland in New Mexico and Xavier Becerra in California each won or lead their Democratic primaries after serving in the Biden White House. Their messaging strategies reflect the challenge of claiming policy achievements from an administration that left office with historically low approval ratings.
Bottoms Publicizes Biden Endorsement After Georgia Primary Win
Keisha Lance Bottoms, who directed the White House Office of Public Engagement, won the Georgia Democratic primary for governor. She received Biden's first post-presidential endorsement and has publicized it while praising him as a great man who delivered for Georgia on student loans and small business support.
Bottoms does not feature the endorsement in her ads. She won the primary despite the broader Democratic effort to navigate negative headlines tied to the prior administration.
Haaland Praises Biden as Asset and Partner in New Mexico Race
Deb Haaland, the former Interior Secretary, has spoken glowingly of Biden as an asset and true partner. She has praised his apology on Native American boarding schools and called him one of the best presidents. Haaland is the favorite in the New Mexico Democratic primary.
Her comments stand out among the three candidates for their warmth toward the former president. Biden has not endorsed in the New Mexico race.
Becerra Highlights Policy Wins but Faces Record Criticism in California
Xavier Becerra, the former Health Secretary, aggressively highlights his time at HHS and Biden administration achievements such as Medicare expansion, lower drug prices and insulin caps. He faces criticism from former Biden colleagues over his HHS record on issues including migrant children, COVID response and baby formula shortages.
Becerra avoids naming Biden in most settings and runs no ads that reference the former president. Biden has not endorsed in the California race, though Harris endorsed in some down-ballot contests there.
Comparison of Messaging Approaches
| Candidate | State | Biden Role | Key Messaging | Endorsement Status |
|---|
| Keisha Lance Bottoms | Georgia | White House Office of Public Engagement director | Publicizes endorsement; praises deliveries on student loans and small business | Biden endorsed; won primary |
| Deb Haaland | New Mexico | Interior Secretary | Calls Biden asset, true partner and one of the best presidents | No Biden endorsement; primary favorite |
| Xavier Becerra | California | Health Secretary | Highlights Medicare expansion, drug prices and insulin caps | No Biden endorsement |
The three candidates mention their Biden administration experience as a credential but keep the former president at arm's length in public materials. This pattern holds even as Democrats across the country manage association with an administration that ended with low approval ratings.
Bottoms will face the general election in November 2026 after her primary victory. Haaland and Becerra continue their primary and general election campaigns through the summer and fall.
