The political winds are already stirring for 2028 — and former Vice President Kamala Harris seems intent on riding them.
Despite a bruising defeat in the 2024 election at the hands of President Donald Trump, Kamala Harris is signaling that her ambitions are far from extinguished. According to Axios and several Democratic insiders, Harris’s recent flurry of activity — particularly during her national book tour — is a strong indicator that she’s preparing for another presidential run.
Her book, 107 Days, reflects on her short-lived 2023 campaign, but the tour promoting it is anything but retrospective. Early 2026 stops include key Democratic primary strongholds like South Carolina and majority-Black cities such as Detroit, Jackson, Memphis, and Montgomery. These are not random destinations — they’re calculated moves aimed at rebuilding her base and reigniting the coalition that once made her a rising star within the Democratic Party.
Public appearances have become more strategic as well. At the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting in Los Angeles, Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff made the rounds, engaging with both national party officials and state-level operatives — many of whom will wield influence over the next primary cycle. Her speech there was also notable for its shift in tone. Harris criticized not only the Republican Party but her own, stating, “Both parties have failed to hold the public’s trust.” It was a moment of bluntness that drew attention — and perhaps applause from disillusioned voters looking for an outsider voice from within the establishment.
Her remark that “people are done with the status quo and they’re ready to break things to force change” struck a chord, especially when paired with her declaration that government is “fundamentally unable to meet the needs of its people.” For a former vice president and senator, it was a telling critique — and a clear pivot toward populist rhetoric.
Perhaps most revealing was the audience’s reaction. When Harris mentioned “the future,” someone shouted, “You!” It was spontaneous, maybe even staged — but it also captured something real: Kamala Harris is still very much in the minds of the Democratic base.
Polls support this narrative. While far from commanding, Harris remains one of the top names floated for the 2028 Democratic nomination, buoyed by strong support among Black voters and urban progressives. Her political instincts seem attuned to the current climate — one where voters are skeptical, angry, and ready for something different.
Her team isn’t downplaying the signals. Spokesperson Kirsten Allen noted that Harris “will approach 2026 with the same commitment that anchored 2025 — listening to the American people, reflecting where leadership has fallen short, and helping shape the path forward beyond this political moment.”
What remains to be seen is whether Harris can translate presence into power. Her last presidential campaign ended in retreat before the first vote was cast. And while her tenure as vice president placed her in the heart of American politics, it also subjected her to relentless scrutiny — from both ends of the political spectrum.
