Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) was absent from a string of campaign events by President Joe Biden on Tuesday and Wednesday during his two-day stop in the battleground state of Nevada.
The lack of attendance from Rosen, who faces her own reelection battle in a toss-up race, came as other Senate Democrats and candidates in swing states have steered clear of the president amid heightened anxieties he’ll lose to former President Donald Trump.
Rosen’s campaign told the Washington Examiner she missed Biden’s events both days in Las Vegas due to prior commitments.
“Senator Rosen has pre-planned events and commitments in Reno this week,” a campaign spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “Her focus will always be on showing up across Nevada and fighting to deliver for hardworking families.”
Rosen has previously appeared with the president at the White House and on the campaign trail in her home state but has more recently put Biden at arm’s length, particularly after his weak debate performance last month that sparked panic among Democrats.
Rosen is facing Army veteran Sam Brown, a Republican, in one of the country’s most competitive Senate contests that could determine control of the chamber.
She appeared with Vice President Kamala Harris at a Biden campaign rally in Las Vegas one day after the debate on June 28, but it was not attended by the president.
On June 18, Rosen was at the White House for an executive order announcement from Biden involving immigration but did not stand onstage behind the president within the camera shot with a chorus of other Democrats, including Sen. Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.
Rosen also spoke at a Biden Las Vegas rally in February.
She and other vulnerable Senate Democrats have largely sidestepped questions about Biden’s mental fitness and whether he should drop out of the race. Rosen has told reporters she’s focusing on her own race and to focus on the accomplishments of Biden’s first term in office.
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Biden’s campaign events in Las Vegas this week featured Tuesday remarks at the 115th NAACP National Convention and an economic summit with Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV). Biden declined to make public remarks mentioning Rosen at either of Tuesday’s events.
Biden was forced to cancel a previously scheduled UnidosUS speech Wednesday as attendees waited for him to take the stage due to testing positive for COVID-19.
