Kamala Harris’ 2028 hopes face headwinds as donors seek ‘fresh’ Democratic candidate
WASHINGTON, DC: Kamala Harris hasn’t ruled out running for president in 2028, but a growing number of her former allies, supporters, donors, and Democratic insiders are not convinced she is the right person to lead the party after this year’s loss.
Still, she is not starting from scratch. Several former donors, fundraisers, campaign aides, and advisers told ABC News that Harris brings significant advantages to the table. She is already a household name, has a proven ability to raise grassroots donations, and has vice presidential experience.
Democrats divided over Kamala Harris 2028 bid
Harris recently acknowledged that she is “thinking about” a potential presidential campaign, though sources close to her say she has not formally begun deliberations with her team.
ABC News spoke with more than 15 former donors, fundraisers, campaign aides, Biden White House staffers, and current advisers about the possibility of Harris running again. Some requested anonymity so they could speak freely.
A source familiar with Harris' thinking told ABC News that she is considering all options but has not begun explicitly discussing a run with her team.
Some former supporters told ABC News they believe Democratic voters want someone new, a candidate who can offer a fresh vision after years of political battles between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
One longtime Democratic donor put it bluntly: major donors are not excited about another Harris presidential campaign. Based on what he has heard, most party insiders want a fresh face rather than another candidate associated with past losses.
Others pointed to California Gov Gavin Newsom as a potential rival for donor support if both pursue the Democratic nomination. Newsom, widely viewed as a leading 2028 contender, could benefit from currently serving as governor while Harris remains out of elected office.
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, one of California's most influential political figures, told ABC News that while it is too early to speculate, he believes the most "viable" of his two mentees would be Newsom "because he would not be the most recent loser."
"When you embrace somebody for the job, you really want to embrace a winner, and Newsom would be what you would have to say at the moment is a winner," Brown said.
Donors remain wary of Kamala Harris
An influential California donor and early Harris supporter told ABC News, "I have not heard one person suggest it would be good for anything if she ran. ... We are looking for someone who is fresh and not imposed on the voters. We understood we were stuck with the situation last time, but this is not the case going forward."
Several former fundraisers told ABC News that Harris also faces lingering challenges tied to her association with Biden, whose declining approval ratings became a major issue during the final months of his presidency.
A source close to Harris said that if she runs, she would be aware that donors and political operatives may choose to support other campaigns.
"I think the electorate is going to be extremely hungry for a new, fresh, younger voice with a different perspective, and who can effectively articulate an agenda for the future. ... I don't believe that Kamala is the right person for this moment by any stretch of your imagination," said a fundraiser who raised money for Harris’ 2024 campaign.
A longtime Democratic donor who raised money for Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign told ABC News, "I really have not heard anybody say that they want her to run. In fact, it's the opposite."
Still, Harris retains loyal supporters who believe time could work in her favor. Allies argue that by 2028, voters may be more focused on future issues than on debates surrounding the Biden years.
For now, Harris has not committed to a presidential campaign. But as Democrats begin quietly positioning themselves for 2028, the former vice president remains one of the party’s most closely watched figures.
