Top Democrats try to distance themselves from their party and Biden, but voting records tell a different story – Fox News
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
An increasing trend among top Democrats running for re-election in November's midterms has them pitting themselves against their own party, as well as President Biden, despite their past statements and voting records telling a different story.
This group of vulnerable Democrats at risk of losing their seats to Republican challengers has progressively sought to paint themselves as moderates, as well as independent-minded members of Congress, and touted what some of them have referred to as their record of standing up to Biden and Democratic Party leadership in order to win re-election.
A review of their congressional voting records and a number of their previous statements suggest the contrary as many of them consistently voted in tandem with the Biden administration's legislative agenda according to FiveThirtyEight, as well as that of Democratic Party leadership according to ProPublica, and expressed support for Biden and the job he has done as president.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, has been touting what she's called her record of "fighting back" against Biden, releasing an ad last month accusing his administration of "letting Ohio solar manufacturers be undercut by China."
2022 PRIMARY SEASON CONCLUDES WITH FIERY REPUBLICAN FACE-OFFS IN BATTLEGROUND NEW HAMPSHIRE
President Joe Biden, CEO of SparkCharge Joshua Aviv and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) arrive for a signing ceremony for the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 on the South Lawn of the White House on August 9, 2022 (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The ad also claimed Kaptur didn't "work for" Biden and said she was working to protect jobs alongside Ohio's retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman. She's also avoided saying whether she would appear with Biden during his visits to her district, after warmly greeting him when came to Ohio in June.
In contrast to her distancing herself from Biden, Kaptur has voted with his legislative agenda 100% of the time as a member of Congress, and has previously said that he would go down in history as "a great president." She's also voted in line with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 100% of the time.
In addition to praising Biden on a number of other occasions, she once stated in that it would be "an honor" to work for him.
CHUCK SCHUMER OFFERS UP TO $15 MILLION TO BOLSTER DEMOCRATIC SENATE CAMPAIGNS
Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., made similar attempts to paint herself differently than her record suggests, telling attendees of a virtual town hall earlier this month that she had bucked the Biden administration on her congressional votes.
"I dont always vote with Democrats either, for those of you here today," she said, adding that she "sometimes" votes for Republican-proposed amendments to pieces of legislation.
Craig, however, has voted in line with the Biden administration and Pelosi 100% of the time.
Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., has voted with Biden and Pelosi 100% of the time (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Ind., told viewers in a Facebook live stream last month to "vote your interests," and claimed he had "stayed moderate" and connected to his community.
His voting record showed he voted with Pelosi and Biden 100% of the time.
Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., claimed in a July ad that he had "stood up" to fellow Democrats and said he made himself unpopular in Washington, D.C., on certain policy positions, but has a similar track record of voting with Biden and Pelosi 100% of the time.
His attempt to distance himself from the party is complicated further by the fact that he has served as the chief deputy whip of the Democratic Caucus since 2020, a position whose responsibility involves "whipping" votes to support party-backed legislation.
Additionally, Kildee has received support from Pelosi in his campaign, including with fundraising requests sent on his behalf.
Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, says she's not afraid to "get in anybody's face" including the Biden administration, but she has voted with Biden 100% of the time (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
"I'm not afraid to get in anybody's face whose not doing something right for this district That includes this administration. I have stood up to President Biden," Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, told a crowd at an event in her district earlier this month, in addition to going extended periods of time without mentioning Biden on the campaign trail.
However, Axne has praised Biden as "a great president," and said she would always welcome him to Iowa for a visit. Records show that she has voted with the Biden administration and Pelosi 100% of the time.
WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS IN MIDTERMS NOW THAT PRIMARY ELECTION SEASON IS OVER
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., has also maintained that she has separated herself from her fellow Democrats.
When asked recently how Biden's unpopularity had affected her efforts at re-election, Slotkin discussed the need to differentiate herself from the rest of her party.
"You have to establish yourself as something separate from what people see on TV, and that's difficult. But that's our job," she said. "And I'm only one of five Democrats running in 2022 that represents a Trump-voting district. I've always had to separate myself from the party, from party leadership."
Slotkin has, however, voted in tandem with Biden and Pelosi 100% of the time.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) represents a district Trump won, but she has voted with Biden 100% of the time (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., has sharply criticized Biden in recent weeks, rebuking his student loan handout plan, as well as his comments regarding "MAGA Republicans," but has kept a 100% record of voting in line with the president and Democratic leadership.
The trend of Democrats turning away from their support of the Biden administration and their party is not exclusive to those running for re-election in the House of Representatives. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who are running to retain and flip a Senate seat respectively, have upped their criticisms of Biden.
"I'll continue to stand up to the Biden administration on the issue of securing the border, listening to our frontline personnel down there about needing more border agents, more technology. In some places we need more physical barrier," Hassan recently told Axios, adding her opposition to Biden's student loan handouts.
FETTERMAN CAMPAIGNS WITH OUTSTANDING COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT CALLS TO DEFUND THE POLICE
Despite the criticism, Hassan has voted with the Biden administration 96% of the time, and votes with her party in the Senate 98% of the time.
She has not, however, shied away from Biden on the campaign trail. She has maintained that he's "always welcome" to join her in a visit to the state.
Ryan has voted with Biden and Pelosi 100% of the time while in Congress, but has said he doesn't think the president should run for re-election in 2024, citing the need for a "generational move" in both parties.
He did attend an event with Biden last week, the opening of a new Intel manufacturing plant in Ohio, but has otherwise avoided directly answering questions on whether he would welcome Biden's support on the campaign trail.
Democrat Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, who is running for Senate, voted with Biden 100% of the time (Joshua A. Bickel/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The midterm general elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Fox News' Power Rankings predict Republicans will take control of the House, while the Senate remains a tossup.
Fox News' Thomas Phippen, Aubrie Spady and Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.
Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at Fox News. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_cg.
Read more from the original source:
Top Democrats try to distance themselves from their party and Biden, but voting records tell a different story - Fox News
- The retiring Senate Democrat who could end the shutdown - Politico - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson hasnt sworn in this new Democrat. Is it because she wants to release the Epstein files? - The Guardian - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Trump wields axe over 'Democrat Agencies' as blame game rages on Capitol Hill - BBC - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Youngkin says Democrat AG candidate Jay Jones must 'step away in disgrace over texts about former GOP leader - Fox News - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- E&E News: Trump says hes weighing cuts to Democrat Agencies - POLITICO Pro - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- AP reader question: Have agencies violated the Hatch Act by using Democrat-blaming language online? - AP News - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- In Trump country, a Democrat critiques Trump and talks of succeeding him - NPR - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Trump to meet with Project 2025 architect on cutting Democrat agencies amid government shutdown live - The Guardian - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Trump to talk with Vought about which Democrat Agencies should be cut - Politico - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- House Democrat rages against his own party on the government shutdown - Axios - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- What will Congress do after the shutdown? We asked a Republican and a Democrat - NPR - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- I have no idea how long government shutdown will last, House Democrat says - NBC News - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Schumer shut down government for radical Democrat reasons: Brooke Rollins - Fox Business - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- In Trump country, a Democrat critiques Trump -- and talks of succeeding him - VPM - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Mike Johnson Accused of Delaying Democrat's Swearing In to Avoid Epstein Vote - Newsweek - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Transcript: This Democrat Thinks Party Will Thump Trump in Shutdown - The New Republic - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Republicans refuse to swear in newly elected Democrat, delaying success of Epstein petition - The Hill - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Illegal alien arrested by ICE found registered as active Democrat voter in blue state - Fox News - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Democrat Holladay announces run to fill Arkansas House seat vacated by Wing - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- New Jersey governor debate revealed truth about Democrat Mikie Sherrill. And its not good - Fox News - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Opinion: Just read the Bill of Rights - Delta Democrat-Times - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- The House Has a New Democrat and a Shrinking GOP Margin - Bloomberg.com - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Harding takes over, grabs win over OBU - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Dejected fans head to exits early - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Arkansas is supposed to be better than this - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- SRJC football team outlasts Laney 24-14 in overtime - The Press Democrat - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Worth the wait - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Portland latest city threatened with US troops - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Hogs extend offers to twin big men - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Night in Vegas winner for Ronald McDonald House - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Top House Democrat Jeffries blasts Trump, says GOP is afraid of releasing the Epstein files - MSNBC News - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Caving on Democrat Healthcare Demands Would Be a Costly Giveaway - National Taxpayers Union - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Sonoma County plastics recycling startup Resynergi says it is moving out of California - The Press Democrat - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Republicans own U.S. government shutdown if it happens, top Democrat Jeffries warns - CNBC - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- If federal government shuts down, Republicans will own it, Oregon Democrat Janelle Bynum says - Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, called on Jamie Dimon, JPMorgans chief executive, to provide detailed... - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Van Jones: Comey no Democrat favorite, but investigating him totally insane - The Hill - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- House Democrat to introduce articles of impeachment against RFK Jr for the chaos he has caused - Yahoo News New Zealand - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- SCOTUS sides with Trump on firing of trade commission Democrat - https-//www.semafor.com - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- ICYMI: Speaker Johnson: A Democrat Shutdown Would Be Disastrous for the Country - Congressman Mike Johnson (.gov) - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- Texas Democrat Colin Allred on why he's running for Senate and what's ahead for the party - WBUR - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Very Real War: Democrat Turns on His Own Party - MSN - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Dorothy Morris feted at Pocket Theatre benefit - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- I'm a Democrat representing mid-Michigan in Congress. 'The Swamp' is real. | Opinion - Yahoo - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- A Democrat goes to war on progressive groups - Yahoo - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Election roundup | Local Democrat of the Year named, Rogers campaign kick-off - Times-Standard - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Texas Democrat Colin Allred visits the Hill Country while campaigning for U.S. Senate - New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Senate Democrat: Patel was testifying really for an audience of one: President Trump - The Hill - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Democrat elected to fill seat of Minnesota lawmaker killed in June - The Washington Post - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Trump says he would have lowered flag for assassinated Minnesota Democrat if he had been asked - CBS News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Geoff Duncan, a Trump critic and former Republican, announces Georgia governor bid as a Democrat - AP News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Democrat Francesca Hong promises to be wild card in Wisconsin governors race - The Daily Reporter - Greenfield Indiana - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- A third high-profile Democrat is running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky. Here's what to know - yahoo.com - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Birmingham Democrat seeks to beat the odds in run for secretary of state - AL.com - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Democrat Francesca Hong promises to be 'wild card' in Wisconsin governor's race - Clinton Herald - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Trump wouldn't call Minnesota governor after Democrat was slain but now blames him for raised flags - AP News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- California Democrat Turns to TikTok to Reach Hispanic Voters in Governor's Race - U.S. News & World Report - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Another Democrat announces candidacy in governor's race - NBC26 - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Utah democrat says she received threatening messages blaming her for Charlie Kirks death - CNN - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- California Democrat turns to TikTok to reach Hispanic voters in governor's race - Chron - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- California Democrat turns to TikTok to reach Hispanic voters in governor's race - yahoo.com - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]
- Republicans should be wary of making Mamdani the Democrat poster boy - The Hill - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Remembering the French hero who inspired Fayettevilles name - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Football Roundup Tom Bean, Pottsboro stay perfect on the season - Herald Democrat - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- We're a Republican and a Democrat. After Charlie Kirk's death, we agree on this. | Opinion - USA Today - September 13th, 2025 [September 13th, 2025]
- Oregon Democrat who bucked her party on transportation vote wont seek reelection - Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Democrat James Walkinshaw will win US House seat in Virginia special election, narrowing GOP majority, CNN projects - CNN - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- ICYMI: National Outcry Over Democrat Obstruction of Law Enforcement Nominees - Senate Committee on the Judiciary (.gov) - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Democrat taunts Republicans whining about key Trump issue: Youre hypocrites! - yahoo.com - September 11th, 2025 [September 11th, 2025]
- Swalwell named top Democrat on new Jan. 6 panel - The Hill - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Chicago Democrat warns 'history will prove' party wrong on crime as officials reject Trump's help - Fox News - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Pittsford Sutherland rolls past Brighton 6-0 in Section V field hockey: See the photos - Democrat and Chronicle - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- Maryland Democrat governor reveals if hes going to run for president - New York Post - September 9th, 2025 [September 9th, 2025]
- 88-year-old Democrat is seeking re-election to Congress in 2026: Im not stepping aside - the-independent.com - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- "It's time to end the Democrat Epstein hoax," President Trump says - CBS News - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- It was a Democrat hoax: Martina Navratilova hits back as Mike Johnson links Donald Trump to undercover - Times of India - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Trump calls for end to Democrat Epstein Hoax as Republicans in Congress weigh releasing DOJ files - New York Post - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Video: Trump claims the push to release the Epstein files is a Democrat hoax' - CNN - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- Virginia Democrat mocked for saying, unlike Iran, US doesnt believe God bestows natural rights - JNS.org - September 6th, 2025 [September 6th, 2025]
- New Jersey Democrat avoids House censure with help of five Republicans - NPR - September 5th, 2025 [September 5th, 2025]