Harris's 2028 Ambition Sparks Democratic Divisions Over Rhetoric and Unity

Kamala Harris, the former vice president who lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, has left the door open for a 2028 run, saying she "is not done" with elected office and that a woman could become president "possibly" in her lifetime, according to Business Standard. The remarks, made in a BBC interview, signal Harris's refusal to exit the political spotlight despite a contentious 2024 campaign that saw her criticized for divisive rhetoric and a narrow electoral defeat. Her comments come as Democrats grapple with a fractured post-Biden era and a leadership vacuum, with multiple potential candidates already positioning themselves for the next presidential race.

The former vice president's comments drew immediate scrutiny from within her own party. Outspoken Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) recently pinned the loss of the 2024 election on Harris's decision to label Trump a "fascist," a move he argued alienated key voters, according to the New York Post. "When Vice President Harris referred to President Trump as a 'fascist,' I knew absolutely we lost the plot at that point," Fetterman told Fox News, arguing that such rhetoric unfairly tarred Trump's supporters. His critique reflects broader unease among Democrats about the party's messaging strategy, with some surrogates avoiding comparisons to Trump's Nazi-era counterparts to avoid backlash.

Meanwhile, the 2028 presidential hopefuls are already testing their waters. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump antagonist, told CBS News he would decide on a run after the 2026 midterms, according to Bloomberg. "Yeah, I'd be lying otherwise," Newsom said, emphasizing his focus on redistricting efforts to counter Republican gerrymandering and restore Democratic control of the House. A recent USA Today poll showed Newsom leading Harris among California Democrats in hypothetical 2028 primary matchups, a sign of his growing influence. Other potential candidates, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, are also building name recognition through surrogacy roles for gubernatorial campaigns in New Jersey and Virginia, according to Politico.

The party's internal divisions were further highlighted by the New York City mayoral race, where progressive socialist Zohran Mamdani trails independent candidate Andrew Cuomo despite endorsements from Harris and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, according to Bloomberg. Mamdani's lack of support from top Senate Democrats underscores the party's struggle to unite around a cohesive vision. Similarly, Harris's recent memoir, which criticized some current Democratic leaders, has made her a polarizing figure in the 2028 calculus.

As Democrats seek a unifying leader, the absence of Biden and the lingering shadow of Obama's popularity complicate the path forward. While Harris and Newsom represent competing visions for the party's future, their campaigns will need to address voter fatigue and the challenge of countering Trump's dominance. With the 2028 race already heating up, the next chapter of Democratic politics promises to be as contentious as the last.