Former Kamala Harris Aides Cast Doubt on Another White House Bid in 2028
Kamala Harris continues to leave the door open to another presidential campaign, but some former members of her own political operation reportedly doubt that she will ultimately enter the 2028 Democratic primary.
The former vice president has remained visible following her defeat in the 2024 election, fueling speculation that she may seek another opportunity to challenge for the White House. Behind the scenes, however, many people who previously worked closely with Harris are far less convinced.
Axios surveyed eight former Harris aides and advisers—including several who held senior roles—about whether they expect the former Democratic nominee to run again. Five predicted that Harris would probably remain on the sidelines, two placed her chances at approximately 50-50, and only one believed she was likely to launch another campaign.
That skepticism persists even as Harris makes podcast appearances, campaigns for Democratic candidates and promotes “107 Days,” her book about the shortened 2024 campaign that ended in defeat to President Donald Trump.
Some former aides cautioned against treating those activities as evidence that another presidential campaign is taking shape. They suggested Harris may simply be working to preserve her relevance and influence within the Democratic Party while avoiding the closure of any future political path.
Harris has maintained both publicly and privately that she has not made a final decision.
Former advisers also pointed to the absence of several customary signs of an impending presidential campaign. Harris does not appear to have created a campaign organization in waiting, nor has she maintained the aggressive national travel schedule or prominent role in major policy fights typically associated with a prospective presidential contender.
Those concerns extend beyond her former staff.
ABC News reported in June that it had spoken with more than 15 former donors, fundraisers, campaign staffers, Biden White House officials and current advisers about Harris’ political future.
Several former supporters reportedly expressed interest in seeing the Democratic Party elevate a new generation of candidates in 2028. Meanwhile, a person familiar with Harris’ thinking said she was weighing her options but had not begun formal discussions with her team about another campaign.
Harris has nevertheless refused to remove herself from consideration.
While promoting “107 Days” during an April appearance in South Carolina, Harris said she was “thinking about” another run for president. She offered a similar answer this month, saying she had not decided while identifying the 2026 midterm elections as her immediate political priority.
Her eventual choice could significantly affect California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been positioning himself for a possible presidential campaign.
Newsom said last week that he would stay out of the race if Harris became a candidate.
“I wouldn’t run if she ran,” Newsom told CNN, citing the extensive overlap between their donors, supporters and political relationships in California.
Both Democrats emerged from San Francisco politics before advancing to statewide office and, eventually, the national stage. That shared political network means Harris’ decision could determine whether Newsom believes there is a viable path for his own campaign.
Newsom has already taken steps to increase his national exposure, including traveling to South Carolina, campaigning for Democratic candidates and appearing frequently in the media. His pledge now ties at least part of his political future to Harris’ deliberations.
Speculation about Harris has continued since President Trump decisively ended her abbreviated 2024 campaign.
After keeping a lower profile immediately following the election, Harris reemerged through her book tour and a series of political appearances nationwide. Stops earlier this year in New Orleans, Jackson, Mississippi, and Memphis, Tennessee, reportedly attracted substantial crowds.
Axios previously observed that enthusiasm for Harris among portions of the Democratic base contrasted sharply with the reluctance of some party officials and donors to support another campaign.
That internal divide could become even more consequential as Democrats prepare for what may be a packed 2028 primary.
Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Wes Moore of Maryland, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Andy Beshear of Kentucky are among the Democrats widely viewed as possible candidates alongside Newsom. None has formally entered the contest.
Harris would still begin with significant institutional advantages if she ran. She possesses universal name recognition, a national fundraising network and political relationships developed during her vice presidency and her time as the Democratic presidential nominee.
But those assets were not enough to carry her across the finish line in 2024—and the doubts coming from her former aides suggest that even members of Harris’ previous political circle question whether Democrats are prepared to give her another chance.