Kamala Harris has decided against a run for California governor, a move that instantly sparks curiosity about her next steps. Could the former vice president be eyeing another shot at the White House in 2028?
According to Newsweek, Harris announced Wednesday that she will not seek the governorship in the upcoming election. While she kept silent on a presidential bid, her statement hinted at future plans to be revealed in due time.
This decision comes after her narrow loss to President Donald Trump in November, where she fell short in every swing state and the popular vote. Her earlier 2020 presidential run also fizzled out, raising questions about her electoral staying power.
Reflecting on her choice, Harris stated, "For now, my leadership—and public service—will not be in elected office." That line suggests a pause, not a full retreat, leaving the door wide open for speculation about a national campaign.
Polls offer a mixed picture of her standing among Democrats for a potential 2028 primary. While some surveys, like one from McLaughlin showing her at 25 percent support, place her ahead, others, such as AtlasIntel with a mere 14 percent, reveal a steep climb against rivals like Pete Buttigieg.
Her announcement has already nudged her odds on Polymarket up by 3 percent, though at just 6 percent, oddsmakers remain skeptical of her primary chances. Clearly, the market sees her as an underdog compared to fresher faces in the party.
Should Harris jump into the 2028 race, she’ll face stiff competition from high-profile Democrats like California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Polls like Echelon Insights, giving her 26 percent to Buttigieg’s 11 percent, show she has a base, but it’s far from a lock.
Other surveys, such as Emerson College, put Buttigieg ahead with 16 percent to her 13 percent, with Newsom close behind at 12 percent. Even Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who hasn’t signaled a run, pulls notable support in some polls, hinting at a fragmented field.
Critics within the party point to her recent loss as a missed opportunity, questioning her campaign choices on divisive issues like the Israel-Hamas conflict and her reluctance to distance herself from an unpopular Biden administration. These missteps could haunt her if she seeks the nomination again.
Supporters, however, see potential in Harris, especially after she improved Democratic polling when stepping in for Biden. Representative Robert Garcia praised her service on X, noting, "We could not be more grateful," and expressed excitement for her efforts to help flip Congress.
Democratic strategist Michael Trujillo also weighed in on X, calling her exit from the governor’s race a historic domino effect for California politics. He suggested her decision reshapes the landscape for other candidates and operatives, creating a ripple of opportunity.
Yet, goodwill alone won’t secure a nomination, especially when her 2020 primary flop lingers in memory. If she’s to rebuild trust, Harris will need to address doubts about her awareness of Biden’s alleged health decline during her tenure as vice president.
For now, Harris remains coy about her intentions, promising to share more in the months ahead. Typically, presidential hopefuls wait until after midterms to declare, so her timeline aligns with a cautious, calculated approach.
Her focus, she says, will be on listening to Americans and aiding Democratic campaigns nationwide. That groundwork could either rebuild her image or expose lingering weaknesses in a party hungry for new leadership.
Ultimately, Harris stands at a crossroads, with polling showing both promise and peril in a future presidential bid. Whether she can overcome past stumbles and outshine a crowded field of contenders remains an open question, one that will define her political legacy.
