Ken Salazar’s Reflections on 2024 Election and Immigration Policy

Ken Salazar, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico during President Joe Biden’s administration, considered running against Biden in the 2024 presidential election. He revealed this consideration after being disappointed with Biden’s performance in a July 2024 debate, as cited in a book excerpt from Politico.

Salazar expressed his frustration with the administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border situation. He felt that there was a political failure to acknowledge the border crisis, which he believed would impact Democrats in the 2024 elections.

“There was political failure to understand the reality of the crisis at the border,” Salazar stated.

Despite early advice to refer to the situation as a crisis, the administration hesitated. Salazar urged then-Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to use the term “crisis.” Mayorkas reportedly responded with reluctance, citing personal challenges, including potential impeachment efforts led by Republicans.

Although Salazar assembled a team and prepared a presidential platform, he never officially entered the race. As Politico highlighted, the Democratic Party did not hold open primaries, opting to back Vice President Kamala Harris as their candidate. Salazar regarded this decision as a mistake.

Salazar criticized Kamala Harris for her role as the “border czar,” a position he advocated for but found ineffective. Despite being tasked with addressing the root causes of migration, Harris’ efforts were viewed as insufficient by many.

“For whatever reason, she had been unable to help with the border and migration crisis,” Salazar mentioned.

Ken Salazar, Colorado’s first Hispanic senator and a lawyer of Mexican descent, praised Biden for ultimately deciding to restrict border crossings in 2024. However, he acknowledged this decision came too late to sway public opinion.

Salazar also shared insights from his book “Borderlands: My Fight For An Inclusive America.” In it, he advocates for a “borderlands platform,” calling for significant reforms to the U.S. immigration system. He has shared this vision with potential Democratic presidential candidates like Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, and plans to meet Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Fox News Digital sought comments from Salazar, Pritzker, Gallego, and Kelly regarding these developments.