Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced Friday that she is considering running for president again in 2028, prompting applause from attendees at the National Action Network convention in New York City. Asked directly by Reverend Al Sharpton whether she would make another bid, Harris replied, “I might, I might. I’m thinking about it, I’m thinking about it.”
Harris, who served as Vice President under Joe Biden, lost her 2024 presidential bid to Donald Trump, who won both the popular vote and the Electoral College. Before her vice presidency, Harris served as a US senator and as attorney general of California. She also made an unsuccessful run to be the Democratic Party’s nominee in 2020.
What Did Harris Say About a Potential Run?
The former vice president framed her potential candidacy around service rather than ambition. She said she would consider running in the context of who, in 2028, could do the best job “for the American people.” The response was characteristically cautious, leaving room for a formal announcement later while keeping expectations in check.
The National Action Network crowd’s enthusiastic response suggested that Harris still has a loyal base within the party’s activist wing. But whether that enthusiasm translates into primary votes is an open question.
What Challenges Would Harris Face?
Polling has consistently shown that Democratic voters want new leadership after the party’s 2024 defeat. Harris’s loss to Trump—who won both the popular vote and the Electoral College—has left some Democrats questioning whether she can win a general election. A 2028 run would require her to overcome skepticism from voters who feel the party needs a fresh face.
She would also face a crowded field. The National Action Network convention featured several potential Democratic candidates, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Each represents a different faction of the party, and all have been quietly building national profiles.
Who Else Could Run?
Shapiro, who won a competitive race in a key battleground state, is widely seen as a rising star. Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020 and served in Biden’s cabinet, has maintained high name recognition. Pritzker, a billionaire governor of Illinois, has the personal wealth to self-fund a campaign.
Other potential candidates not at Friday’s event include Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. The field is expected to be large and competitive.
What Is Harris’s Political Calculation?
By signaling interest now, Harris is testing the waters without committing. She keeps her name in circulation, reminds donors of her national profile, and gauges whether the party’s mood shifts toward her over the next two years. If Democrats decide they want experience and name recognition over novelty, Harris could benefit.
But if the party’s hunger for change intensifies, she could be sidelined in favor of a governor or senator who wasn’t on the 2024 ticket. Her careful “I’m thinking about it” allows her to retreat gracefully if the political winds turn against her.
What Happens Next?
No timeline for a decision has been announced. The next presidential primary season will begin in earnest in 2027, with debates and early state campaigning. Harris has time to decide whether to jump in, but her potential rivals are already building organizations.
For now, the former vice president has done exactly what a candidate testing a run should do: generate buzz, appear at a key event, and leave the door open.
FAQs: Harris’s Potential 2028 Run
Q: Did Kamala Harris say she is running for president?
A: No. She said, “I might, I’m thinking about it,” when asked by Reverend Al Sharpton.
Q: When did Harris last run for president?
A: In 2024, she was the Democratic nominee, but Donald Trump defeated her. In 2020, she also made an unsuccessful bid for the nomination.
Q: What challenges would she face?
A: Polls show Democratic voters want new leadership. She would also face a crowded field including Shapiro, Buttigieg, and Pritzker.
Q: Where did she make the comments?
A: At the National Action Network convention in New York City, founded by Reverend Al Sharpton.
Q: Has Harris set a timeline for a decision?
A: No. She has not announced any timeline.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
