Former Vice President Kamala Harris is making moves that suggest she is keeping a potential 2028 White House campaign alive, despite telling interviewers she has not made any decisions about her political future. The signals come as California Gov. Gavin Newsom emerges as the clear frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, with Harris trailing significantly in early predictions.
During an interview with Jamie Harrison on December 17 on his podcast, Harris sidestepped questions about 2028 when asked if she was thinking about another presidential run. “I have not made any decisions about that,” Harris responded. Harrison had pressed her on whether she felt she had unfinished business.
Despite her public uncertainty, recent actions tell a different story. Axios reported that Harris is stepping toward a 2028 run, citing her appearance at the Democratic National Committee meeting last week and her decision to extend her book tour. The moves are seen by many Democrats as laying the groundwork for another campaign, even as party leaders and donors express concerns about her ability to win following her loss to President-elect Trump in the 2024 election.
During her speech at the DNC winter meeting in Los Angeles, Harris delivered pointed criticism of both political parties while calling for Democrats to look beyond the immediate future. Her remarks took an unexpectedly critical turn when she argued that both parties have failed to hold the public’s trust and that people are done with the status quo, ready to break things to force change. The message suggested Harris is positioning herself as an agent of transformation rather than continuity.
The political landscape Harris faces is dramatically different from her 2020 campaign, when she dropped out of the race before the Iowa caucuses. She went on to make history as the first woman to serve as vice president after being selected as Joe Biden’s running mate.
Her path to the 2028 nomination appears challenging based on current betting markets. Gavin Newsom leads the Democratic field with 37% odds for the nomination, according to Polymarket. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds 11% odds, while Harris sits at just 5%. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and others round out the early speculation.
Harris has recently released her memoir “107 Days,” which chronicles her abbreviated presidential campaign against Trump. The book tour has given her a platform to remain visible and engaged with Democratic voters across the country, though she will need to convince party members why she deserves another chance after losing to Trump.
One significant decision Harris has already made is ruling out a run for California governor in 2026. The announcement removes one potential pathway back to elected office and suggests she may be holding out for another presidential bid. Newsom is considering a presidential run after serving as governor through 2026, setting up a possible rivalry between the two longtime political allies.
Harrison expressed strong support for Harris during their interview, regardless of which direction she ultimately chooses. The level of public interest suggests Harris maintains a devoted base within the Democratic Party, with her book tour events attracting significant attendance.
Harris retains one crucial advantage as she weighs her options: strong support among Black voters, who remain the most critical voting bloc in most recent Democratic presidential primaries. This foundation could prove essential in a crowded primary field where multiple candidates will be competing for support across diverse constituencies.
The DNC winter meeting in Los Angeles brought together several potential 2028 contenders, creating an early testing ground for how candidates might position themselves for the nomination race. In addition to Harris and Newsom, Pritzker also attended, signaling the serious interest multiple governors and national figures have in seeking the party’s nomination.
As Democrats look ahead, Harris faces mounting pressure to clarify her intentions. While her resistance to making firm commitments may reflect genuine uncertainty, the political calendar waits for no one. Democrats seeking to challenge Trump’s influence over American politics will need to begin organizing early, building coalitions and fundraising networks that take years to develop.
For now, Harris appears to be keeping all options open while testing the waters through public appearances, her book tour and carefully calibrated statements that neither close doors nor fully commit to any single path forward. The coming months will reveal whether America’s first female vice president is ready to step toward another White House run or whether she will choose a different direction entirely.
