Former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE will campaign in North Dakota alongside Sen. Heidi HeitkampMary (Heidi) Kathryn Heitkamp70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents Susan Collins set to play pivotal role in impeachment drama Pro-trade group launches media buy as Trump and Democrats near deal on new NAFTA MORE (D) on Nov. 1, as the senator fights to hang on to her seat in a deep-red state.
Biden will kick off the “Bring it Home, Heidi!” five-day statewide tour in Fargo next Thursday in the final days of the midterm elections.
His visit comes as the race has been trending more toward Republicans, which improves GOP chances of hanging onto their slim 51-49 seat majority.
Heitkamp faces a tough reelection race against Rep. Kevin CramerKevin John CramerRepublicans prepare to punt on next COVID-19 relief bill GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police Trump tweets spark fresh headache for Republicans MORE (R-N.D.) in a state that President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE won by nearly 36 points in 2016. Recent public polls show Heitkamp trailing Cramer by double-digit margins.
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“As North Dakota’s senator, Heidi’s never forgotten where she comes from – she’s a tireless voice for rural America and a dogged advocate for North Dakota,” Biden said in a statement on Friday.
“Heidi is the real deal – she stands up to both parties to do what’s right by the people she serves, and I hope you’ll help get out the vote and send her back to be North Dakota’s independent voice in the U.S. Senate.”
Heitkamp and Cramer will square off in their final Senate debate Friday night. In last week’s debate, they tussled over Trump’s trade war, campaign ads and the contentious Supreme Court confirmation of Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughGOP senators urge Trump to back off Murkowski threat Judd Gregg: A government in free fall The 7 most anticipated Supreme Court decisions MORE.
Republicans pointed to a spike in enthusiasm among its base following Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Cramer has repeatedly blasted Heitkamp for opposing his nomination, which was nearly derailed by an allegation of sexual assault from when he was in high school.
Kavanaugh has strongly denied the accusations.
But Heitkamp saw a jolt in fundraising — particularly among small-dollar donations — following her decision to not back Kavanaugh. She reported raising more than $12 million in the first two weeks of October, a staggering figure that’ll help her compete in the remaining days.
Biden, who’s considered a potential 2020 presidential contender, has been traversing the country to stump for Democratic candidates and leverage his ties to working-class Americans.