Former Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a presidential campaign for 2028. While Harris is contemplating her options, Democratic senators are not yet ready to firmly support her potential bid.
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut expressed neutrality, acknowledging future contenders, “Well, I’ve backed her before, but there’ll be other contenders this time.” He remains undecided on backing any particular candidate come 2028.
Senator Elissa Slotkin from Michigan anticipates a competitive Democratic primary. She commented, “It’s going to be every Tom, Dick and Harry. And that’s probably where it should be.”
Kicking off her campaign efforts, Harris returned to the trail recently, joining Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. However, she remains non-committal about her plans for a 2028 bid. When questioned in Detroit about her intentions, she prioritized upcoming elections, stating that success in 2026 will pave the way for 2028.
Senator Angela Alsobrooks from Maryland emphasized the importance of upcoming midterms. She remarked, “We’re focused on 2026. We’re gonna win back the House and the Senate.” Alsobrooks values her friendship with Harris but stressed the immediate need to focus on electoral successes.
Similarly, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts views an open primary as a vibrant demonstration of democracy. He encouraged all interested candidates to run, saying, “Everyone who wants to run should be able to run for office here.”
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York is another potential contender. Known for her progressive stance and identification as a democratic socialist, she tops an early poll in New Hampshire. The University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll found Ocasio-Cortez leading with 22% support, while Harris gathered 5%.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has also surfaced as a likely candidate. He mentioned a non-candidacy pledge should Harris opt to enter the race. Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire champions a diverse array of candidates to stimulate a broad discussion about America’s future.
As the 2028 Democratic primary landscape starts to take shape, no formal announcements have been made by Harris or Ocasio-Cortez.