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Kamala Harris Considers 2028 Presidential Run at National Action Network Convention

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Kamala Harris Considers 2028 Presidential Run at National Action Network Convention

Former Vice President Kamala Harris stated she is "thinking about" a potential presidential campaign in 2028 during remarks at the National Action Network Convention in New York. The event, held in 2026, featured interviews with several other individuals considered potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 election, none of whom confirmed their plans.

Harris's Remarks on a Potential Candidacy

During an interview with Rev. Al Sharpton, Harris was asked if she would run for president again.

  • She responded, "Listen, I might, I might. I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking about it."
  • Harris later added, "I am thinking about (running again) but let me also say this. I served for four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States... I know what the job is. And I know what it requires."
  • She concluded by saying she is "thinking about it in the context of then: Who and where and how can the best job be done for the American people? That's how I'm thinking about it. I'll keep you posted."

Harris stated that based on her recent travels, she believes "the status quo is not working, and hasn't been working for a lot of people for a long time."

Background and Context

  • Harris was the Democratic presidential nominee in the 2024 election.
  • She served as Vice President from 2021 to 2025.
  • In July 2024, President Joe Biden stepped down from the presidential race and endorsed Harris as his successor. She received the Democratic nomination through a roll-call vote.
  • Harris is the first Black and South Asian woman to receive a major party nomination in U.S. history.
  • In the 2024 general election, Donald Trump received 312 Electoral College votes to Harris's 226. The popular vote showed Trump with 49.8% and Harris with 48.3%.
  • Speculation about her political future followed the release of her campaign memoir in late 2025 and a subsequent book tour. In an August 2025 interview, she said she did not "want to go back in the system," but later told the BBC, "I am not done."
  • Harris is scheduled to appear at Democratic Party events in four Southern states this month.
  • During her convention remarks, the audience chanted "run again."

Foreign Policy Commentary

In her interview, Harris commented on U.S. foreign policy.

  • She characterized the U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran as a "war of choice."
  • Harris stated that under the Trump administration, America has "become more unreliable as a partner to our friends" and has "lost influence."
  • She said regaining U.S. influence would require "serious work, way beyond the end of this man's term."

Other Potential 2028 Candidates

The convention served as a platform for other individuals viewed as potential Democratic presidential contenders. When asked by Sharpton about 2028 plans, their responses were non-committal:

  • Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro: Said he wants "to be a part of that debate" regarding the party's future vision.
  • Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: Stated, "I don't know what I'll be doing after... but I can tell you this, I'm going to fight like hell to elect a Democrat in 2028."
  • Maryland Gov. Wes Moore: Remarked, "I'm hungry, but I'm not thirsty."
  • Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: Told Sharpton, "You save me a seat, I'll be there," when asked about a potential future meeting.
  • New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is ineligible to run as a non-natural-born citizen, joked about not being a candidate.

Other speakers included California Rep. Ro Khanna, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who was scheduled to address the conference on Saturday. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Ayanna Pressley were also reported as attendees by some sources.

Focus on 2026 Midterm Elections

All potential candidates emphasized their current focus on the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. For example, Josh Shapiro stated he was going "all in" on competitive congressional races to help elect a Democratic Speaker of the House.

Event Details

Rev. Al Sharpton introduced Harris, noting she received over 75 million votes in 2024. He described her as having faced "uphill circumstances throughout her career" and stated, "We should have listened and come out in the numbers that we should have come out with," in reference to the 2024 election outcome.