Key Takeaways:
- No California Run: Kamala Harris is opting out of the California governor’s race, signaling serious interest in a 2028 presidential rematch.
- Crowded Field Ahead: Despite her 2024 nomination, Harris faces stiff competition from Buttigieg, AOC, Newsom, and others—some of whom are already testing the waters.
- Mixed Reception: While allies tout her momentum and VP credentials, critics argue the party needs fresh faces and stronger messaging to win in 2028.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is passing on a California gubernatorial run in 2026—possibly keeping her powder dry for a much bigger prize: the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
The decision all but confirms what political insiders already suspected—Harris wants another shot at the White House, even after losing to President Donald Trump in 2024. But despite her former title and high name ID, Democratic operatives are making one thing clear: this nomination is anything but guaranteed.
“We live in a world where I don’t think anybody getting into a race is going to stop anybody else,” said veteran Democratic strategist Steve Schale. Translation: the floodgates are open.
With no incumbent in 2028, Democrats are gearing up for a free-for-all. Early polling shows a fractured field, with Harris leading in one poll but lagging behind Pete Buttigieg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Gavin Newsom in another. Also circling: Cory Booker, Gretchen Whitmer, Tim Walz, and Josh Shapiro.
While Harris enters as the last nominee, some Democrats are ready to move on. “It’s a mistake,” said one top donor. “We can’t turn the page and have the same people run again.” Others warn Harris’s underwhelming record as VP could become a liability, especially with party moderates and independents.
Still, her allies argue she came within striking distance in 2024—despite having just 107 days to run a national campaign after Biden’s surprise exit. And let’s face it: the Democratic path still runs through Black women and the South, where Harris holds strong support.
Whether she’s a shoo-in or a long shot remains to be seen. But with the party still searching for a clear message—and a fresh face to deliver it—Harris will have to prove she’s more than just next in line.
Because in 2028, Democrats don’t just need a nominee—they need a rescue plan.