Vice President Kamala Harris, after experiencing a challenging electoral defeat to Donald Trump, is quietly contemplating her future political aspirations. Even as she takes time away from the political spotlight during her recent vacation with her husband Doug Emhoff in Hawaii, Harris has reportedly been communicating with close allies about her next steps. Sources indicate she is open to potential future runs, either for another presidential bid in 2028 or even for the governorship of California.
During her retreat, insiders revealed to Politico her mantra: "I’m staying in the fight." This suggests Harris is not just resting on her laurels but is actively considering her political future. "She is not someone who makes rash decisions. She takes, sometimes, a painfully long time to make decisions," said Brian Brokaw, a former aide. This may mean her campaign strategies could take shape only after she gauges the political climate following the upcoming holidays.
There is speculation among betting markets about her viability as a candidate for the 2028 presidency, especially since the future of both major parties seems uncertain. Yet, Harris finds herself lagging behind more prominent figures like former First Lady Michelle Obama and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Nevertheless, this does not deter her allies, who believe she could still have significant backing if she decided to enter the race again.
Harris, 60, has had her share of challenges and mixed results. Notably, she became the first Democrat to lose the popular vote during presidential elections since Al Gore, with polling figures indicating she had dropped to one of the lowest favorability ratings for any vice president. A survey conducted by NBC News earlier indicated she had just 32% of Americans expressing positive views about her, leaving much work to do if she hopes to reestablish herself before making any announcement.
During her brief time lagging after the electoral results, Harris has remained low-profile but is actively plotting her future moves. "She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again for the next six months," another former aide corroborated. This kind of strategic planning may involve creating new political platforms and opportunities to travel and speak, helping her maintain political relationships.
With her previous Senate seat now filled, the governorship of California appears to be one potential pathway for Harris, though some close to her argue she might not pursue it. "Could she run for governor? Yes. Do I think she wants to run for governor? Probably not. Could she win? Definitely," Brokaw explained. This sentiment hints at the potential flexibility Harris has with her ambitions depending on how the political winds blow over the coming years.
Even though she briefly managed to reintroduce herself to the electorate under considerable pressure during her short campaign, the challenges she faced, including losing the nomination race for the Democratic candidacy back in 2019, weigh heavily on her current situation. Prior to conceding to Trump, Harris issued impassioned statements about not conceding the struggles her campaign represented.
"While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight fueled this campaign. Now is not the time to throw up our hands; it's time to roll up our sleeves," Harris said, signaling her intent to remain involved, albeit perhaps not from the presidential podium.
Taking time to enjoy her Hawaiian getaway, Harris missed the usual post-election events, including the so-called "losers party" at the White House, where political insiders and donors gathered to commiserate after the election. Instead, she is seizing this serene moment to contemplate her political future, including potential strategies for both the state and national levels.
While her current vacation signifies her personal downtime, many believe it serves as preparation for renewed political activities. Her aides and insiders are not shying away from hinting at her continued interest and readiness to engage with American voters again, should the right circumstances arise.
Although it is uncommon for sitting vice presidents to return successfully to the presidential ballot after losing, Harris remains attentive to her public image and is exploring how best to leverage her current political relationships. This could involve establishing some type of organization focused on travel and speaking engagements—a move advised by former aides eager to keep her political capital intact.
The competitive political arena for the 2028 presidential election, combined with the unpredictable behavior of voters, places Harris at a unique vantage point. She needs to navigate through potential challengers for both the ethos of the Democratic Party and herself. Factors such as public opinion, current party standings and possible alliances will undoubtedly play pivotal roles as she ponders the road forward.
For now, it remains to be seen how Harris will react to the shifting political dynamics and what her next moves will be. With time still on her side, Harris has the opportunity to reposition herself among the ranks of political players vying for attention and support during the next electoral cycles, either as part of the gubernatorial race or laying groundwork for another presidential run.
