Kamala Harris Returns to Campaign Trail as Democrats Split on Her 2028 Future
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping back into the political spotlight, hitting the campaign trail for Democratic midterm candidates in key battleground states. Her return comes as the party remains deeply divided over whether she should make another run for the White House in 2028.
Harris is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Michigan with Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, with additional stops planned in Nevada and Georgia. These states are central not only to the upcoming midterms but also to the Democrats' future presidential nominating process.
Democrats Divided Over Harris's Political Future
The former vice president's return to campaigning has reignited an internal party debate. Some Democrats argue it is time for fresh leadership following her 2024 loss to President Donald Trump, while others insist she deserves the space to make her own decision without pressure.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently told CNN he would not seek the Democratic nomination if Harris decides to run, signaling that at least one potential rival is willing to step aside.
But not everyone is so accommodating. Barry Goodman, a Democratic National Committee member from Michigan who previously raised money for both Joe Biden and Harris, was blunt about her prospects.
“I think she's run her course. I just don't think her running again would be the right thing for America moving forward.”
Iowa gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand was even more direct when asked about campaigning alongside Harris.
“No thanks. Let's move on. We need some new leadership.”
Others have defended her right to take time before making any decisions. Donna Brazile, a former Democratic National Committee chair, dismissed the urgency surrounding Harris's timeline.
“Kamala isn't under any deadline to run for anything.”She called it a “waste of time” to relitigate Harris's shortened 2024 campaign and encouraged any White House hopefuls to follow Harris's example by helping midterm candidates now.
Michigan Trip Carries Both Risk and Opportunity
Michigan presents a complicated political landscape for Harris. It was one of seven battleground states she lost to Trump in 2024, and it is one of six states that will help open the Democrats' next presidential nominating process.
The state also carries difficult recent history for her. Many in Michigan's prominent Arab American communities were angered over Biden's support for Israel's military operations in Gaza and were disappointed that Harris did not break with him after becoming the Democratic nominee.
El-Sayed, the candidate Harris is supporting, has been an outspoken critic of Israel and has described the war as a genocide against Palestinians, an accusation Israel rejects. Some Jewish voters have viewed him warily, and he has tried to address those concerns by apologizing for some past controversial comments.
El-Sayed acknowledged lingering tensions within the Democratic coalition in Michigan.
“There were some hurt feelings in Michigan after the 2024 election,”he said, noting that some Black voters felt Arab Americans had not done enough to help Harris. With Harris now visiting, he called it a chance
“to bring communities together that have often been torn apart by recent events.”
The appearance will also be closely watched because Harris has had a strained relationship with the party's progressive wing, of which El-Sayed is a part. He is seeking to strengthen establishment support in his contest against Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a former congressman.
El-Sayed expressed optimism about the visit.
“We can build together on the areas of agreement, and we can come to understand each other far better on the areas where we might have seen eye to eye, and I think her coming into town will help us to do that.”
Harris's Limited Travel Compared to Other Potential Contenders
Compared with other possible presidential contenders, Harris's travel has been relatively limited. Pete Buttigieg, who ran in 2020 before serving as Biden's transportation secretary, has recently visited South Carolina and campaigned for other Democrats in the midterms.
Harris has, however, spoken on an organizing call aimed at registering and turning out 1 million more Black voters. Bre Maxwell, a Democratic National Committee member from South Carolina, said there was value in Harris doing work
“behind the scenes instead of being front and centre,”especially as
“she's still a target of Donald Trump right now.”
Jaime Harrison, the former national party chair, said Harris's standing gives her time that others do not have, noting that many rivals would want
“that type of name ID”and network.
Harris Says She Is in No Hurry
Harris herself has repeatedly said she is in no hurry to make a decision.
“Right now - midterms, midterms, midterms,”she told Megan Rapinoe on a recent podcast. Her spokesman Eduardo Negrón declined to comment on her timeline.
Her other campaign stops this autumn include events for Nevada's Democratic candidate for governor, Aaron Ford, and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, who is seeking re-election.
Antjuan Seawright, a political consultant in South Carolina, said Harris is being strategic with her appearances.
“She is certainly being strategic.”He also noted that her memoir tour for 107 Days stopped in virtually every major Southern city in states where Black voters have strong influence in early presidential primaries.
Goodman said he has heard no sign that Harris is working the party's top donor network, while Harrison said he has not heard from her since last December.
Lessons from Harris's Earlier Campaigns
Harris's political history offers clues about what a potential 2028 run might look like. She first ran for president in the 2020 cycle as a US senator from California but dropped out before any primary votes were cast. Some progressives saw the former prosecutor as part of a criminal justice system that disproportionately imprisons Black men, while some moderates viewed her as another San Francisco liberal.
Biden later chose her as his running mate, making her the first woman and first Black person to serve as vice president.
When Biden ended his re-election bid after a damaging debate performance, Harris generated visible enthusiasm, drawing crowds that matched or exceeded Trump's. Many analysts praised her convention speech and debate performance. But she was unable to separate herself from Biden on inflation or immigration. On The View, she said she could not think of anything she would have done differently from Biden, and Trump repeatedly attacked her in advertisements over her support for transgender rights.
What Would a Harris 2028 Campaign Need?
If Harris runs again, Seawright said she would need to stress more moderate positions and
“be willing to say, you know, I've rethought some things.”Voters, he said,
“reward that kind of authenticity and humility.”
Harrison said it would be easier for her to explain her own agenda now than when
“she was a sitting vice president, somebody else's No 2,”but added that she would also need to leave behind the style of office.
“You can't act like a sitting vice president, standing up on that stage. I'd tell her she has to run hard, just as hard as everybody else, working every rope line, taking every selfie.”He said that unlike Biden's handoff to her in 2024,
“This is going to be the wild, wild west.”
For now, Harris is focusing publicly on helping Democrats in the midterms, even as her appearances in states such as Michigan, Nevada and Georgia are likely to keep attention on what she decides to do next.