Key Takeaways:
– Kamala Harris is contemplating another run for presidential office in 2028 or potentially for California’s governorship in 2026.
– Allies and advisers have been instructed to keep all options open for Harris’s future political path.
– Despite defeat at the November election, polls show Harris leading the pack for potential Democratic nominees for 2028.
A Vision for 2028
Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly communicated to her staff to keep her options open for a possible presidential run in 2028. She is also not dismissing the possibility of running for governor in California in 2026, a claim backed by individuals with close ties to the Harris family.
Harris, according to these insiders, has pronounced her intention to “stay in the fight.” The Vice President plans to spend the holiday season reflecting upon her future in politics. Nonetheless, she doesn’t wish to exclude any possibility.
Leading the Pack
Despite her defeat in the 2020 November elections to President Donald Trump, Harris still enjoys significant political capital. A recent survey by Echelon Insights revealed that Harris is leading prospective nominees for the 2028 Democratic ticket. The poll showed 41% support for potential nominee Harris, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro trailing behind with 8% and 7% respectively.
If Harris decides to further her political ambitions, it would entail a few vital requirements: maintaining connections with notable Democrats, rebuilding her online following, and contemplating the creation of a new fundraising organization.
Taking on Trump
Harris is also strategizing how to take on Trump. As sources reported, she is planning out how and when to criticize the former president in an effort to “reassert” her prominence in the Democratic Party. Her focus is intent on not just confronting her political adversary but also establishing her position in her party’s hierarchy.
One former Harris campaign aide said, “She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months. 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.”
Voice of the Party
Another person close to Harris remarked, “There will be a desire to hear her voice, and there won’t be a vacuum for long.” Such comments allude to Harris’s influence in the Democratic Party and the public eagerness for her political direction.
This development comes as Democrats vigorously debate their future political strategy following Harris’s loss. The party may look to capitalize on the support Harris continues to command among potential Democratic nominees and the wider public, making her crucial to the party’s political future.
Preparing for Transition
As Harris contemplates her future in politics, she and her husband Doug Emhoff, are getting ready to vacate the Naval Observatory in Washington DC, the official vice-presidential residence. The couple must decide whether to relocate back to Los Angeles, their previous home.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, Harris’s future decisions will play a vital role in the orchestration of Democratic strategy and the potential face of the 2028 presidential race.