Kamala Harris wants to 'keep her options open' for 2028 rerun amid skepticism, says source

Kamala Harris, who lost to president-elect Donald Trump, is reportedly weighing her political future while spending time with family in Hawaii
UPDATED NOV 26, 2024
Kamala Harris has plans to run again for president in 2028 or for California governor, according to a recent report (Getty Images)
Kamala Harris has plans to run again for president in 2028 or for California governor, according to a recent report (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering another run for the White House in 2028, as detailed in a recent report.

Harris, who lost to President-elect Donald Trump, is said to be weighing her political future while spending time with family and aides in Hawaii. 

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 06, 2024 in Washington, DC. After a contentious campaign focused on key battleground states, the Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump was projected to secure the majority of electoral votes, giving him a second term as U.S. President. Republicans also secured control of the Senate for the first time in four years. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Kamala Harris is open for 2028 run or California governorship

Kamala Harris, according to the report, has instructed her advisers to keep her political options open, including a potential gubernatorial run in California in the next two years or a second bid for the presidency in 2028.

Politico quoted five people in Harris’ inner circle revealing her current plans.

“Privately, the vice president has been instructing advisers and allies to keep her options open — whether for a possible 2028 presidential run, or even to run for governor in her home state of California in two years,” the report stated.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris greets White House staff as she returns to the White House on November 12, 2024, in Washington, DC. Harris had lunch with President Joe Biden at the White House. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
US Vice President Kamala Harris greets White House staff as she returns to the White House on November 12, 2024, in Washington, DC (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

“She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months,” said one source.

“The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would give her the opportunity to travel and give speeches and preserve her political relationships.”

Harris is also reportedly focusing on reinventing her role in the Democratic Party. “There will be a desire to hear her voice, and there won’t be a vacuum for long,” shared an anonymous source close to Harris.

Democrats want Kamala Harris to take time before making decisions

Donna Brazile, who served as Al Gore’s campaign manager during his run for the Democratic presidency, noted Kamala Harris’ unique position.

“You just got to let them marinate in their own success, their own failures, or their own mistakes or their achievements. This is personal,” Brazile said.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Donna Brazile (@donnalbrazile)


 

Brazile noted Harris’ accomplishments, stating, “She had earned a lot of political capital. You don’t squander that by making snap decisions.”

Democratic pollster Paul Maslin expressed a similar sentiment, highlighting the challenges Harris has faced.

“There is no one — no one — who actually can relate to what she’s been through these last four months. No one,” Maslin said, adding, "And I wouldn’t begrudge her at all to take some time and figure this out.”


WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 29: Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally on the Ellipse on October 29, 2024 in Washington, DC. With one week remaining before Election Day, Harris delivered her “closing argument,” a speech where she outlined her plan for America and urged voters to “turn the page” on Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
 Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally on the Ellipse on October 29, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Democrats skepticism lingers about Kamala Harris’ rerun prospects

Although Kamala Harris won 74 million votes and built substantial support across the nation, some Democrats remain hesitant about her potential return to the campaign trail.

“I can’t conceivably imagine the party turning to her a second time,” one strategist admitted.

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pauses while speaking on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 06, 2024 in Washington, DC. After a contentious campaign focused on key battleground states, the Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump was projected to secure the majority of electoral votes, giving him a second term as U.S. President. Republicans also secured control of the Senate for the first time in four years. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris pauses while speaking on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

However, another source highlighted her resilience, saying, “She proved a lot of skeptics wrong as a political athlete. And her standing with the public is as good as any Democrats with the name ID that she has.”

Reflecting on her potential plans, an associate of Harris described the decision-making process as evolving.

“It’s a real job,” they said, adding that they initially dismissed the idea of her running again but now see it as a possibility.

Yet, Brian Brokaw, a former aide to Harris who has stayed within her close circle, stated, "She is not someone who makes rash decisions."

"She takes, sometimes, a painfully long time to make decisions. So I would pretty much guarantee you she has no idea what her next move is," he added.

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