Admin
Questions are swirling around Vice President Kamala Harris’s next steps as she prepares to leave the White House following her defeat to President-elect Donald Trump.
Early polling suggests Democrats are eager to see Harris back in contention for the presidency in 2028, despite her loss this cycle. Others within the party speculate she may pursue a different path—perhaps the California governorship—or shift into a role outside of electoral politics to lead opposition efforts against Trump’s second term.
“She still has a promising career ahead of her,” said Democratic strategist Kate Maeder. “She’s relatively young for someone in politics in this country, and I think people are excited to see what she does next. She’s built a loyal following, and that momentum will carry forward after this election.”
Election Day was a difficult one for Democrats. Trump claimed victory in all swing states and even gained ground in traditional Democratic strongholds, while the GOP secured control of both chambers of Congress, ensuring a unified Republican government in Washington.
In her concession speech, Harris emphasized her continued commitment to “the fight that propelled” her swift rise to the vice presidency.
“She’s still ready to fight,” Maeder noted. “Whether that’s through public policy or advocacy in the private sector, her next steps remain to be seen.”
Harris joins a small group of vice presidents in recent history who ran for the presidency and lost. Each has taken a unique path after their defeat, noted Joel Goldstein, professor emeritus at Saint Louis University and an expert on the vice presidency. For example, Richard Nixon ran unsuccessfully for governor of California before ultimately winning the presidency in 1968, while Hubert Humphrey returned to the Senate. Al Gore, however, never sought political office again, instead focusing on environmental activism and earning the Nobel Peace Prize.
“She has many options,” Goldstein said. “If she wants to stay active in presidential politics, that door remains open for her … if that’s what she chooses to pursue.”
Recent polling from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times suggests that nearly half of California voters would support Harris in a potential run for governor in 2026.
“If she decides to run for president in 2028, she would begin as a leading candidate,” said Jim Kessler, co-founder of the centrist think tank Third Way. “Not an overwhelming favorite, but someone with strong name recognition, the ability to fundraise, and a track record that positions her well.”
Still, the field for 2028 is already crowded with rising Democratic stars, such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. This competition could make it harder for Harris to regain the momentum she had during her vice presidency.
“I think it would be a challenge for her to win a primary in 2028,” said Democratic strategist Fred Hicks. “It’s a long time between now and then, and there are many other viable candidates in the mix.”
Alternatively, Harris may find an opening in her home state of California, which is expected to be a hub of resistance to Trump’s agenda.
With Governor Newsom term-limited and unable to seek re-election in 2026, the governorship will be up for grabs.
A poll from the UC Berkeley Institute and Los Angeles Times indicates Harris would be a strong contender for the position, potentially placing her in a prime spot to oppose Trump’s policies during his second term.
“Running for governor would allow her to take a leadership role in countering Trumpism for the latter half of his presidency,” Hicks noted. “California has already signaled its readiness to resist Trump’s policies, and Harris’s experience as state attorney general could further strengthen her candidacy.”
A gubernatorial run, however, might take Harris out of contention for the 2028 presidential race, though it wouldn’t preclude a bid in 2032.
Regardless of her path, Democratic strategist Abou Amara emphasized that Harris should focus on maintaining flexibility.
“Her top priority should be deciding what she wants as the defining chapter of her political career,” Amara said.
As Democrats reflect on their 2024 loss, Harris may also contribute to the party’s broader introspection and share her perspective on what went wrong. Following her 2016 defeat, Hillary Clinton released a memoir, What Happened, chronicling her campaign. Harris could follow a similar path, offering speeches or writing about her experiences.
“In the next eight to 12 months, I expect her to engage in that process of reflection,” Amara said. “Through public remarks or a book, she could provide insight into her campaign and the party’s challenges.”
While it’s still early to predict Harris’s future, experts agree that she is likely to remain an influential figure in Democratic politics as the party rebuilds after 2024.
“I think she’s earned some time to reflect and plan her next move,” Maeder said. “She’s shown that she has a lot to offer in terms of leadership and represents the next generation of leaders the Democratic Party is hungry for. Whatever she does next, we’ll all be watching.”
