As Kamala Harris considers another presidential run in 2028, discussions among Democratic strategists and donors have sparked. They question whether she has lost a chance to redefine herself after her 2024 defeat.
Maria Cardona, a seasoned Democratic strategist and advisor to Harris, counters criticisms mentioned in a recent Politico report. Cardona defends Harris’s proposals and campaign work amid internal Democratic dialogues about Harris’s potential candidacy.
The report showcases skepticism among California-based Democratic figures concerning Harris’s political future and her response to her 2024 campaign loss.
Doug Herman, a strategist with experience from Obama’s presidential campaigns, commented that Harris hadn’t actively engaged post-2024. Former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges echoed this sentiment, encountering few changes from Harris.
Yet, Cardona remains confident in Harris’s initiatives, listing her key proposals like expanding the Supreme Court, lowering the voting age to 16, and granting statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico as notable advancements.
Harris, the first Black U.S. Vice President, has also called for Black voters to be transactional, touching a nerve within Democratic circles. Cardona asserts that Harris remains highly qualified for the presidency, regardless of her previous campaign’s short duration against Trump in 2024.
Amid ongoing travels, Harris promotes her book, “107 Days,” and supports fellow Democrats in the midterms. Some candidates in conservative areas, however, have requested her absence on their campaign trails.
Despite this, Cardona highlights Harris’s commitment to engaging young, women, Black, and Latino voters. Harris’s endorsement is still sought by many candidates.
If she runs in 2028, Harris will have established recognition and support, though she will also join a competitive primary field.
One Democratic consultant anonymously highlighted Harris’s limited visibility, tying it to lingering memories of 2024.
Conversely, strategist Michael Ceraso expressed skepticism of consultant opinions, asserting that political dynamics are far from determined. Ceraso pointed out that Joe Biden won the presidency on his third attempt, suggesting Harris could take a similar path.