Vice President Kamala Harris is at a crossroads after her loss to President-elect Trump in 2024. With her political career far from over, speculation abounds about her next steps as a leader in the Democratic Party and beyond.

  • Post-2024 Options for Harris:
    • Early polling suggests Democrats support Harris for a 2028 presidential bid, though the field is already crowded with rising stars like Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, and Pete Buttigieg.
    • Harris could also run for California governor in 2026, with nearly half of California voters likely to support her, according to a recent poll.
    • Other possibilities include advocacy roles, focusing on public policy or resistance to Trump’s second-term agenda.
  • 2024 Election Context:
    • Harris conceded to Trump after a bruising loss where the GOP swept swing states and secured both chambers of Congress.
    • She emphasized her determination to continue fighting for Democratic values.
  • Historical Parallels:
    • Like other vice presidents who lost presidential bids, Harris has multiple paths.
    • Nixon ran for governor before returning to win the presidency, Humphrey returned to the Senate, and Gore shifted to environmental activism.
  • California’s Political Landscape:
    • With Gavin Newsom term-limited, Harris could step into the governor’s race in a state positioned to resist Trump’s policies.
    • A gubernatorial term could remove her from contention in 2028 but leave doors open for 2032.
  • Leadership in Resistance:
    • Democratic strategists suggest Harris could become the “face of the Democratic resistance” against Trump’s policies, particularly on progressive issues in California and nationwide.
  • Reflection and Rebuilding:
    • Harris is expected to play a key role in the Democratic Party’s rebuilding process.
    • Like Hillary Clinton’s What Happened, Harris may write or speak about her 2024 campaign experience, offering insights for the party’s future strategy.

Kamala Harris’s next steps remain uncertain, but her potential paths—presidential runs, gubernatorial bids, or advocacy—underscore her enduring role as a leader in the Democratic Party. As she considers her options, Harris’s influence is poised to shape the party’s direction in the years ahead.