Kamala Harris has been keeping a low profile since her loss in the presidential race, spending time with family and close advisers in Hawaii before returning to Washington, D.C. However, behind the scenes, she has been discussing various options for her future, including a potential run for president in 2028 or a bid for governor of California in two years. As she has stated in conversations with her team, “I am staying in the fight.”
According to sources within Harris’ inner circle, she plans to discuss her next steps with her family during the winter holiday season. After a whirlwind few months that saw her go from vice presidential candidate to the top of the ticket and back down on election night, Harris is taking her time to consider her next move.
While Harris has not yet made any concrete decisions about her future, she and her team are working on how to reassert her role in the Democratic Party and speak out against Donald Trump. As she prepares to leave her position as vice president, Harris and her husband are also deciding where to establish their permanent residence and how to navigate life outside of public office.
Despite her recent defeat, Harris has garnered significant political capital and goodwill, which could bode well for her future political aspirations. While some Democrats are skeptical of her potential 2028 run, Harris’ allies believe she has a strong standing in the party and with the public.
Overall, Harris is taking her time to reflect on her next steps, but the fast-paced nature of politics may require her to make decisions sooner rather than later. Despite the challenges she has faced, Harris is viewed as a formidable candidate with a bright political future ahead of her.
Similar surveys conducted in the two months following the 2016 campaign revealed that Clinton was leading for the 2020 election, with a majority of Democrats expressing their desire for her to run again in the next cycle.
One Democratic strategist, speaking anonymously, stated, âI canât imagine the party turning to her for a second time.â
If she decides against running in 2028, early indicators of her political future may be seen in whether she chooses to run for governor of California as reported by POLITICO in May. While her office initially denied this possibility, the notion of her potential candidacy has caused hesitation among fundraisers and has stalled other contenders.
Despite differing opinions from those close to Harris on which office she should pursue, there is a growing consensus that she may not be able to simultaneously run for governor and then launch a presidential campaign shortly after.
The tight timeline, with the 2028 primary following immediately after the midterm elections, and the substantial responsibilities of a governor, make this dual campaign challenging. Additionally, there is a pressing need for her to address Californiaâs pressing issues such as high living costs, homelessness, and crime.
Advisers of other candidates acknowledge that a gubernatorial run by Harris would likely deter serious competitors, leaving only lesser-known Democratic candidates to challenge her.
Given that California has not elected a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger two decades ago, Harris, who would be in her 70s after two terms, may see the governorship as a pinnacle of her political career. Alternatively, she could choose to skip the 2028 race and aim for a presidential run in 2032.
âShe is deliberate in her decision-making process, sometimes taking a considerable amount of time to reach a conclusion. It is highly likely that she has not yet decided on her next move,â remarked Brian Brokaw, a former aide to Harris.
Brokaw added, âCould she run for governor? Yes. Does she want to? Probably not. Could she win? Definitely. Would she enjoy the role? Uncertain. Could she run for president again? Yes. However, there may be initial skepticism due to her previous unsuccessful primary experience in 2019. Nonetheless, individuals can learn and grow from past setbacks.â
