Kamala Harris Weighs 2028 Presidential Bid Amid Internal Opposition
Kamala Harris is laying groundwork for a 2028 presidential run while publicly remaining undecided and facing private reservations from her husband and some donors.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a presidential campaign for 2028, taking preliminary steps such as hiring political staff, meeting with major donors, and maintaining ties with strategist Brian Fallon. While hypothetical polling from Harvard-Harris and Echelon Insights shows her leading potential rivals, some donors and party strategists warn that her 2024 defeat to Donald Trump makes a second bid a "long shot" and argue the party needs a fresh candidate.
Internal tension has emerged regarding the personal toll of a campaign. According to The Wall Street Journal, Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, has privately expressed a preference that she not run again due to the public scrutiny experienced during the 2024 cycle, though he has publicly stated he supports her autonomy.
Harris remains publicly undecided, stating she has not yet decided if she will run again. She has emphasized that the 2026 midterm elections are the immediate priority, asserting that the 2028 election will not matter if Democrats do not succeed in 2026. To maintain her political presence, she has traveled to battleground states and participated in Democratic National Committee mobilization calls.
The potential candidacy has already influenced other figures. California Governor Gavin Newsom has indicated he would not enter the race if Harris decides to run, citing the disadvantage of having two Californians compete in the primary.
