After the Democratic Party’s major defeat in 2024, it looks like many in their own ranks are quietly hoping former Vice President Kamala Harris doesn’t come back for round two. According to recent reports, some Senate Democrats are not exactly thrilled about the idea of Harris launching another presidential bid in 2028—and they’re starting to say it out loud, or at least behind closed doors.
One Senate Democrat, who asked to remain anonymous, didn’t mince words when asked by The Hill if Harris should run again: “No.” The senator added that “voters were heard in November,” and suggested it’s time for Harris to “move on to other things.”
That blunt comment echoes what many conservatives—and increasingly, many Democrats—have been saying for years: Kamala Harris just doesn’t connect with the American people.
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), a former 2020 presidential hopeful, gave a more diplomatic response. While he admitted Harris is no frontrunner in his eyes, he said she could still “add valuable perspective to the political debate.” Translation: she can talk, but don’t count on her to lead.
That’s a far cry from a ringing endorsement.
Still, some Democrats argue Harris deserves another shot. They claim her 2024 campaign was hamstrung by bad timing, since President Biden didn’t drop out until July 21—giving her only a few weeks to campaign as the party’s nominee.
But even with that last-minute push, she lost badly to the Trump-Vance ticket, which carried the momentum of a strong America First message that continues to resonate with voters from coast to coast.
Despite the resounding loss, Harris appears to be keeping the door open for another try. In March, she told reporters, “I am staying in this fight,” signaling she’s not done with politics just yet.
At the same time, a Morning Consult survey released that month showed Harris topping the list of potential Democratic 2028 candidates, with 36% support among Democrats and left-leaning independents. But don’t be fooled—those numbers reflect name recognition, not enthusiasm.
As Breitbart News put it:
“The survey asked both Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents who they would support in the 2028 presidential primary… Harris — who lost handily to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in November — is leading the pack.”
That “lead” might be more of a reflection of the party’s weak bench than of Harris’s strength.
Conservatives haven’t held back when it comes to sounding the alarm on what a Harris presidency could mean for the country.
In a recent interview, Trump ally and former senior advisor Stephen Miller said bluntly:
“It would have been the end of the American Republic if Kamala Harris won.”
He later called on Harris to apologize to the American people for the failed policies and divisive rhetoric she pushed throughout her time in office. (You can watch that video here: Stephen Miller: Kamala Harris Owes Americans an Apology)
Meanwhile, Harris’s 2024 running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, is also leaving the door slightly ajar for his own future presidential run. But even he seems unsure.
“I never had an ambition to be president or vice president,” Walz said. “If I feel I can serve, I will. And if nationally, people are like, ‘Dude, we tried you, and look how that worked out,’ I’m good with that.”
In other words—he knows how 2024 went, and he’s not in any rush to repeat it.
As 2028 inches closer, the Democratic Party finds itself in a tough spot. Kamala Harris may have the highest name ID, but she also carries the weight of a crushing defeat and years of underwhelming performance. Her record—from her widely criticized role as Biden’s “border czar” to her robotic public appearances—has left voters cold.
While she may be trying to “stay in the fight,” the real question is whether her party will let her back in the ring. And if they do, Republicans are more than ready for round two.
Well written and inspiring! Keep up the great work.