Second gentleman Doug Emhoff will campaign for Democratic special election candidate Melanie Stansbury in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Thursday, a source with knowledge of the plans confirmed to the Washington Examiner.
It will be the first time that Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, has campaigned for a candidate since Inauguration Day and assuming his role as second gentleman, the first time a male has occupied the traditionally lower-profile spousal role.
Previously, Emhoff dove into campaign politics as the second gentleman by appearing at a Democratic National Committee digital fundraiser. During the 2020 campaign, he was a key surrogate for the Biden-Harris ticket and headlined events alone.
The campaign trip also showcases how much focus and investment national Democrats are putting into the Tuesday special election for the seat vacated by now-Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, despite it being a Democratic-leaning district that has not elected a Republican since 2006.
DEMOCRATS NERVOUS AND GOP HOPEFUL THAT NEW MEXICO ELECTION IS 2022 BELLWETHER
Stansbury, an Obama administration alumnus and state representative since 2019, faces Republican Mark Moores, a state senator since 2013 and an owner of a medical testing business.
Several national and local observers believe that support from national Democrats is part of an effort not only to ensure that Republicans do not pull off a shocking upset in a low-turnout election but to prevent the perception of Republicans gaining ground if Moores outperforms expectations even if he loses.
Moores and his campaign, which has hammered Stansbury for expressing support for the BREATHE Act, a Black Lives Matter-crafted “reimagining of public safety” federal policy proposal, have leaned into the assertion that the federal help means Democrats are scared of the seat flipping.
“Money hasn’t been able to buy Melanie a message and the fact that the White House has gone all in the last week is just another indication that confirms what our data is telling us, we have all the energy heading into Election Day,” Moores’s campaign manager, Chris Escobedo, told the Washington Examiner.
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On Tuesday, President Joe Biden endorsed Stansbury.
“As a scientist and state legislator that works on land, water and community issues, Melanie Stansbury has fought for Albuquerque her entire career,” the president said in a statement. “I am proud to endorse Melanie for Congress because I know she has the grit and determination to deliver real results for all New Mexicans.”
