Kamala Harris Considers Running for Governor in 2026 and Returning to the Presidency in 2028

After a devastating and decisive defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris is keeping her options open regarding her political future once she leaves office next 12 months.

Harris told her advisers and close allies: ‘I’ll stay in the fight’ Policy reports. However, it isn’t known what this fight will appear like.

According to Harris’ inner circle, the vice chairman is considering a run for California governor when Gov. Gavin Newsom’s term-limited term ends in 2026. Harris also hasn’t ruled out running for president again in 2028. However, insiders told the news outlet that it’s unlikely Harris could achieve this each.

While Harris, who left Washington last week for a vacation to Hawaii along with her family and advisers, has loads of time to resolve her next move, those close to the vice chairman have made clear she is going to remain a critical voice of Trump and his recent administration.

Politico notes that another choice for Harris is to create an independent entity as former vice chairman in which she would proceed to travel the country, give speeches and maintain political relationships if she runs for public office again.

Donna Brazile, a longtime Democratic strategist who’s a detailed adviser to Harris, told Politico that the vice chairman gained “a lot of political capital” as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Although Harris lost the presidential election, including the popular vote, she won the most votes of any presidential candidate Democrats outside of President Joe Biden’s 2020 vote totals.

“You can’t waste this by making rash decisions,” Brazile said.

According to the latest survey conducted by Puck News/Echelon InsightsHarris stays the favorite of influential Democrats in a possible 2028 presidential campaign. The vice chairman won 41% amongst those polled, well above average support for Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Republican Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others.

Democratic strategist Joel Payne said he “doesn’t see why Kamala Harris doesn’t have a place in the future of the Democratic Party,” noting that she only has 100 days to construct a presidential campaign after President Biden dropped out of the race three months before Election Day .

Even as Democrats pointed fingers at one another after Trump’s victory, Payne added: “I believe Kamala Harris has something to be pleased with. I believe it will be shortsighted to just lay it at the feet of Kamala Harris, which is what happened to Democrats this cycle.