Kamala Harris, the former vice president and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, has made it clear she is not stepping away from the political stage just yet. In a series of candid interviews, most notably with the BBC on October 25, 2025, Harris left the door wide open for a potential 2028 White House bid, fueling speculation and debate within the Democratic Party and beyond.
"I am not done," Harris asserted during her conversation with BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg. She reflected on her decades-long commitment to public service, adding, "I have lived my entire career as a life of service and it's in my bones." When pressed about the prospect of running for president again, Harris was noncommittal but optimistic, responding, "possibly," and emphasizing that she expects to see a woman in the Oval Office in the near future—perhaps even herself. "My grandnieces will, in their lifetime, for sure, see a female president," she said, hinting at the historic change she believes is on the horizon.
Harris’s renewed visibility comes on the heels of her memoir, 107 Days, released in September 2025. The book offers an inside look at her turbulent journey as the Democratic nominee following Joe Biden’s dramatic withdrawal from the 2024 race after a poor debate performance. Harris ultimately lost that election to Republican Donald Trump, a defeat that momentarily pushed her out of the political spotlight. Yet, as she tours to promote her book, Harris has re-emerged as a vocal critic of the Trump administration and an influential Democratic leader.
Reflecting on the chaotic 2024 campaign, Harris admitted to the BBC that she still wonders if she should have more forcefully encouraged Biden to step aside sooner. "It was a question to which I will never know the answer," she said, acknowledging the uncertainty that still lingers over that pivotal moment in Democratic politics. She also told The Associated Press, "I haven’t decided. Sincerely. I have not decided. I may or I may not. I have not decided," when asked about her intentions for 2028.
Despite her defeat, Harris remains undeterred by the political odds. She dismissed the suggestion that she faces long-shot chances, stating, "If I listened to polls, I would have not run for my first office, or my second office—and I certainly wouldn't be sitting here." This sentiment was echoed in her BBC interview, where she reiterated, "I've never listened to polls." Harris’s political resilience, she argues, is rooted in her lifelong commitment to service and her belief in the possibility of change.
However, polls and party dynamics present a more complicated picture. The latest Noble Predictive Insights poll conducted in early October 2025 shows Harris leading the Democratic field with support from 33 percent of Democrats and 27 percent of independents. Yet, a Politico-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey from August put California Governor Gavin Newsom ahead, with 25 percent support among Democrats and independents compared to Harris’s 19 percent. Analyst Lakshya Jain’s recent assessment found that Harris has one of the highest unfavorability ratings among senior Democrats, with 54 percent viewing her somewhat or very unfavorably. Even in her home state of California, a CBS News poll found that fewer than a third of voters support another Harris run, and even among registered Democrats, under half favor her candidacy for 2028.
Meanwhile, the 2028 Democratic primary race is already heating up, with several high-profile figures, including Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and California Representative Ro Khanna, making early moves to engage with voters in key states. With upwards of 30 prominent Democrats potentially vying for the nomination, the contest promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Harris’s interviews have not shied away from sharp criticism of Donald Trump and his administration. She has repeatedly labeled the president a "tyrant," arguing that her warnings about his authoritarian tendencies have been vindicated. "He said he would weaponize the Department of Justice—and he has done exactly that," Harris told the BBC. She cited the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following a joke about right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk’s death, as an example of Trump’s thin-skinned approach to criticism and his willingness to use federal agencies against political adversaries. "You look at what has happened in terms of how he has weaponized, for example, federal agencies going around after political satirists. His skin is so thin he couldn't endure criticism from a joke and attempted to shut down an entire media organization in the process," Harris argued.
Her critique extended beyond the White House. Harris accused American business leaders and institutions of capitulating too easily to Trump’s demands, motivated by self-interest or fear. "There are many that have capitulated since day one, who are bending the knee at the foot of a tyrant, I believe for many reasons, including they want to be next to power, because they want to perhaps have a merger approved or avoid an investigation," she told the BBC.
The White House, for its part, has dismissed Harris’s remarks in no uncertain terms. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson responded to the BBC, "When Kamala Harris lost the election in a landslide, she should've taken the hint—the American people don't care about her absurd lies. Or maybe she did take the hint and that's why she's continuing to air her grievances to foreign publications." The administration’s response highlights the lingering animosity between Harris and her former Republican rival, and the polarized climate in which any future campaign would unfold.
Despite the speculation, Harris has yet to announce her candidacy for 2028. Her recent public statements, book tour, and engagement with party leadership suggest she remains a key player in Democratic politics, whether as a candidate or a kingmaker. In 107 Days, Harris writes of her intention to focus on community engagement rather than seeking another major office—at least for now. "I’ll no longer sit in DC in the grandeur of the ceremonial office. I will be with the people, in towns and communities where I can listen to their ideas on how we rebuild trust, empathy, and a government worthy of the ideals of this country," she reflects.
As the Democratic Party wrestles with its identity and direction following a string of electoral losses, Harris’s future—whether as a candidate or influential voice—remains a subject of intense interest and debate. The battle for the 2028 nomination is only just beginning, and all eyes are on Harris as she weighs her next move.
