Some Democratic lawmakers don’t want to slam the door shut on Harris running for the White House in three years, especially when they’re not sure if a stronger candidate will emerge.
Senate Democrats are split over whether Kamala Harris should mount another presidential bid in 2028 after her decisive loss to Donald Trump in 2024, where she failed to win a single battleground state. While some dismiss her chances, others argue she could still clinch the nomination with the right strategy.
Harris reentered the spotlight last week with a speech blasting Trump’s economic record, sounding like a candidate testing the waters. At 60, she is reportedly considering a 2026 California gubernatorial run or another White House campaign.
One anonymous Democratic senator bluntly rejected the idea: “No.” The lawmaker argued Harris had her chance and voters delivered their verdict. Others, like Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), were more measured. “I think time will tell,” he said, acknowledging her name recognition but stopping short of calling her a frontrunner.
Comparisons to Hillary Clinton’s post-2016 fallout surfaced, with some Democrats urging Harris to step aside. Yet Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cautioned against writing her off: “I would never underestimate her talent.” He noted her compressed 107-day 2024 campaign—triggered by Biden’s late withdrawal—left little time to build momentum.
Despite raising over $1 billion, Harris lost the popular vote by 2.3 million ballots. Some Democrats blame Biden’s debate debacle and delayed exit for dooming her campaign. “She didn’t get the benefit of [time],” Heinrich said.
Democratic strategist Steve Jarding warned against dismissing Harris, citing her experience and donor network: “They would be making a mistake if they didn’t take her seriously.”
With the field wide open, Harris’ path hinges on proving she can overcome 2024’s scars—and convince skeptics she’s the party’s best hope.