U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota is seen as the most vulnerable Democrat in next month’s midterm elections. North Dakota is extremely conservative, and Heitkamp is polling 12 points below her Republican challenger.
A Fox News poll reportedly found voters said they would be even more likely to vote against Heitkamp if she were to vote against Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Senator Heitkamp has just told a local North Dakota news station she will vote against confirming Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Her announcement places West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin, also up for re-election, in more of a bind. West Virginia is also exceptionally conservative. It also pressures GOP Senators Collins and Murkowski.
President Trump won North Dakota by 36 points.
UPDATE:
2:31 PM ET –
Heitkamp releases statement:
Also, confirmed – cannot access Heitkamp’s campaign website.