WASHINGTON D.C.—Former Vice-President Kamala Harris has offered her clearest public indication yet that she is seriously considering a second bid for the U.S. presidency in 2028. In a recent interview with the BBC, Harris, who was defeated by Donald Trump in the 2024 election, stated she was “not done” with politics and that running for the White House again was “possibly” on the cards.
Harris’s comments push back against the widespread political perception that her career at the national level is over. Despite betting markets currently assigning her a mere 2% chance for the 2028 Democratic nomination, the former Vice-President framed her potential run as part of a renewed effort to break down barriers. “I am confident there will be a woman in the White House in the future. It could possibly be me,” she told interviewer Laura Kuenssberg.
A New Chapter After 2024 Defeat
The declaration follows months of strategic moves after her 2024 defeat, which saw a narrow popular vote loss (75 million to Trump’s 77 million) but a devastating Electoral College defeat (312-226), including the loss of all seven key battleground states.
Since the 2024 loss, Harris had largely retreated from the public eye, only resurfacing to promote her memoir, 107 Days, which chronicles her abbreviated campaign following President Biden’s decision to step down. Her latest remarks—”I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones”—suggest she believes she remains a relevant force in U.S. politics.
This latest move comes after her July decision to skip a California gubernatorial race to keep her presidential path clear, and an October 17th interview where she vowed to oppose Trump’s second term while focusing on the 2026 midterms.
Democratic Anxieties and Contender Reaction
While Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a potential 2028 contender, called Harris an “incredibly strong” candidate and predicted a crowded field of “a dozen, if not more” challengers, Harris’s declaration has already ignited anxieties among some Democrats. Concerns center on her perceived electability, the need for generational renewal, and the party’s overall strategy for confronting the current Trump Presidency.
Some party members worry the public focus on Harris’s 2028 aspirations could distract resources from the more immediate and crucial goal of retaking Congress from the Republican Party in the 2026 midterms. Governors Gavin Newsom (CA), Josh Shapiro (PA), and Andy Beshear (KY)—all potential 2028 candidates themselves—have offered no official reaction, though Newsom continues to position himself as a primary antagonist to Trump.
The White House, meanwhile, wasted no time in mocking the former Vice-President. A Trump spokesperson stated, “When Kamala Harris lost the election in a landslide, she should’ve taken the hint—the American people don’t care about her absurd lies.” MAGA influencers online quickly chortled at the prospect of her running, calling it a boon for Republicans.
