Former Vice President Kamala Harris has kept a low profile since her loss in the 2024 presidential election, taking time to unwind with family and close aides in Hawaii before returning to Washington, D.C. Despite her defeat, Harris has been quietly strategizing about her political future, telling advisers and allies she intends to “stay in the fight” according to Politico.
Politico also reported that several people close to Harris said she is keeping her options open for a potential 2028 presidential campaign or even a gubernatorial run in California as early as 2026.
“She doesn’t need to decide her next move in the immediate future,” said a former Harris campaign aide. “The natural step would be to establish an organization that allows her to travel, give speeches, and maintain her political relationships.”
In the short term, Harris plans to conclude her vice-presidential duties, including overseeing the certification of Donald Trump’s victory in the Electoral College and attending his inauguration on January 20.
Advisers say she also aims to reassert her voice in the Democratic Party and speak out against Trump’s policies when the timing feels right.
“There will be a desire to hear her perspective, and she won’t stay quiet for long,” said a person familiar with her thinking.
Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, must also decide where to settle after leaving the Naval Observatory. While they own a home in Los Angeles, there are discussions about whether they should establish a new base elsewhere.
Safety concerns have also been raised, as her Secret Service protection will expire six months after her term ends.
This marks the first time in two decades that Harris, a former senator and prosecutor, will be out of public office. Discussions are underway about setting up a federal committee to raise funds and establishing a personal office to sustain her political and public presence.
Donna Brazile, a Democratic strategist and Harris ally, compared her situation to Al Gore’s after his 2000 loss, emphasizing the need for time and reflection. “She’s earned a lot of political capital despite the loss,” Brazile said. “You don’t squander that by making hasty decisions.”
While Harris’s presidential loss presents challenges, her brief 2024 campaign energized many Democrats, and her 74 million votes reflect broad support.
Allies argue she avoided the post-loss negativity that plagued candidates like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, and her pivot to a more moderate platform during the campaign may bolster her standing as the party recalibrates toward the center.
A recent poll placed Harris as the frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic nomination, leading contenders like California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer by significant margins.
However, Democratic strategists caution against reading too much into early polls, noting similar enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton after 2016.
“If Harris runs again, she’ll face skepticism from the outset,” said a Democratic strategist. “Her 2019 campaign faltered early, and while she gained goodwill in 2024, the party might look elsewhere.”
If Harris opts not to pursue the presidency in 2028, she may consider running for governor of California in 2026. Though she dismissed the idea earlier this year, it remains a viable path.
Harris allies believe her candidacy would likely clear the field of serious challengers, given her national profile and the state’s Democratic-leaning electorate.
A gubernatorial run would allow Harris to tackle issues like housing, homelessness, and crime while positioning her for a future presidential bid in 2032. However, some advisers worry about the time demands of governing a state as complex as California.
“She is not someone who makes rash decisions,” said Brian Brokaw, a longtime Harris ally. “Could she run for governor? Yes. Would she enjoy the job? Unclear. Could she run for president again? Yes. And she has a chance to learn from past challenges.”
As Harris weighs her options, one thing is clear: she remains a significant figure in Democratic politics with the potential to shape the party’s future.