Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she is "thinking about" a 2028 presidential bid, but interviews with more than 15 former donors, fundraisers and aides reveal lukewarm enthusiasm among some past supporters. Critics cite campaign spending, donor relationships and her association with Joe Biden, while allies point to strong name recognition and small-dollar fundraising. Harris is currently focused on midterm fundraising, voting-rights advocacy and state party organizing as she weighs whether to run or pursue other platforms to advance her agenda.
Harris Weighs 2028 Run as Some Former Backers Push for ‘Fresh’ Faces
Annabelle Gordon/Reuters - PHOTO: California Governor Gavin Newsom gives remarks at the Center for American Progress Ideas Conference at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., May 19, 2026.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has said she is "thinking about" a possible 2028 presidential run, but interviews with more than 15 former donors, fundraisers, campaign aides, Biden White House staffers and current advisers conducted by ABC News reveal tepid enthusiasm from some previous supporters.
Where Harris Stands
A source close to Harris told ABC News she is considering all options but has not begun formal deliberations with a campaign team. Supporters point to her national name recognition, experience as vice president and grassroots fundraising potential, while critics cite concerns about donor relationships, the cost of campaigning and her association with President Joe Biden.
Donor Sentiment And The Money Question
Harris' 2024 campaign spent more than $1 billion in 15 weeks — a scale that some fundraisers say makes them cautious about committing similarly large sums to future campaigns. Several longtime backers said they want a "fresh," younger voice and indicated they might support other contenders, notably California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Pool/Getty Images - PHOTO: President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris go for a hug after the President delivered his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House on January 15, 2025 in Washington, DC.
"When you embrace somebody for the job, you really want to embrace a winner, and Newsom would be what you would have to say at the moment is a winner," said former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.
Bundler Asif Mahmood, a Harris backer for more than 15 years, said money could split between Harris and Newsom if both run, and that Newsom might hold an edge because he is the current governor.
Relationships, Reputation And The Biden Factor
Some donors and operatives criticized what they saw as a lack of follow-through in donor relations after the 2024 campaign, while others stressed Harris' enduring grassroots appeal among small-dollar Democratic donors. Several sources noted that Harris' role as Biden's vice president is both an asset and a liability — offering experience and stature but also tying her to "Biden fatigue" among parts of the electorate.
Former communications director Ashley Etienne said Harris' book, "107 Days," which details frustrations with Biden, helped create distance, and other advisers said additional time could blunt the Biden association and allow Harris to reflect publicly on issues she couldn't address while in office.
Ian Maule/Getty Images - PHOTO: Kamala Harris speaks during a fireside chat at MEET Las Vegas on May 07, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Strategic Choices Ahead
Harris declined to run for California governor in 2026, a decision that divided her allies. Some argued a gubernatorial bid would have strengthened her national electability; others said it offered little upside for a former vice president. For now, Harris is focused on midterm fundraising, supporting state parties and pushing back against Republican-led redistricting efforts.
She will deliver a keynote address to Louisiana Democrats in August addressing the fallout from the Louisiana v. Callais decision weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and has been active in fundraising for state parties in North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia and Nevada.
Path Forward
Sources close to Harris say her decision may hinge on whether a presidential campaign or building a foundation and policy platform would better advance her goals. Close advisers argue she has the experience to run again if she chooses, while some former fundraisers and donors want a candidate who feels newer and less tied to past administrations.
Bottom line: Harris remains a nationally recognized figure with grassroots strength, but mixed donor sentiment and lingering questions about political baggage mean any 2028 bid would face both advantages and significant headwinds.
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