Kamala Harris has not ruled out a campaign for president in 2028, although her husband, Doug Emhoff, has reportedly told people privately that he is not eager to spend another four years in the White House.
The 61-year-old former vice president has offered few clues about her long-term political plans. For now, Harris says her attention is on helping Democrats succeed in the 2026 midterm elections.
According to people familiar with the matter who spoke with The Wall Street Journal, Emhoff has privately shared concerns about his wife’s interest in seeking the nation’s highest office again.
Even so, those familiar with Emhoff’s thinking believe he would stand behind Harris if she ultimately decides to enter the 2028 presidential race.
Harris’s continued work with political professionals suggests that a campaign remains under consideration. The Wall Street Journal reported that she is working closely with Chief of Staff Candace Bond and recently brought former Ambassador Eduardo Negrón on board as communications director.
She has also continued working with Democratic strategist Brian Fallon, who advised her during her 2024 presidential campaign, the outlet reported.
The Democratic field could become crowded well before the 2028 election. Potential contenders frequently mentioned include former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Newsom, however, has said publicly that he would not run against Harris. Both politicians are from California, and Newsom has described a contest between them as a “gift from God for everybody else.”
Harris has yet to announce whether she will seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, but she continues to weigh a potential campaign
Sources told the WSJ that Emhoff has privately voiced reservations about another Harris campaign, though he is expected to support her if she runs
While Harris has remained deliberately vague about her political future, she has been appearing alongside Democrats on the campaign trail ahead of the midterms, including Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
She has also attended roughly six private fundraising events in California and Nevada. Those appearances have reportedly left some Democratic donors uneasy, according to sources cited by the WSJ.
Before the midterm elections on November 3, Harris is expected to campaign for Nevada gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford and travel to Georgia to support Senator Jon Ossoff’s reelection effort, the outlet reported.
Harris also experienced an awkward exchange earlier this week while speaking Friday to supporters of Dr. Richard Pan at his campaign headquarters in Sacramento.
Pan is challenging Representative Kevin Kiley in California’s 6th Congressional District. Kiley, formerly a Republican, is running as an independent.
During the event, Harris criticized Kiley’s political history and accused him of attempting to distance himself from his Republican background by running as an independent.
“Oh, I’m not that guy. I’m now this guy,” she said, according to footage obtained by the Sacramento Bee. “Well, this guy who was that guy and is still this guy and that guy.”
Harris has said her immediate priority is the midterm elections, where she has campaigned with Democratic candidates including Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed
Should Harris launch a 2028 presidential campaign, she would likely face a competitive Democratic field that could include Gavin Newsom and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
After delivering the line, Harris paused, seemingly waiting for a stronger reaction from the audience.
‘Come on now,’ she said, before bursting into her trademark cackling laughter.
Our News Outlet has reached out to Harris for comment.
