Vice President Kamala Harris is intensifying her involvement in the upcoming midterm elections, embarking on a campaign tour for fellow Democrats that could significantly shape her standing as a potential presidential contender in 2028. Her strategy includes campaigning in crucial battleground states such as Michigan, Nevada, and Georgia.
Harris's recent trip to Michigan, where she supported Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, carries particular political weight. Michigan was a state she lost to Donald Trump in 2024 and is now designated as one of the six states that will initiate the Democratic Party's next presidential nominating process. Similar campaign stops are planned in Nevada and Georgia, both pivotal states in the national political landscape.
These campaign efforts are viewed as critical for solidifying or potentially undermining Harris's position as a front-runner for the Democratic nomination. Despite her high public profile and status as a barrier-breaking figure, some Democrats are looking for new leadership following her unsuccessful run to replace President Joe Biden on the ticket in 2024. Some Democratic candidates in districts won by Trump have explicitly declined opportunities to campaign with Harris, with Iowa gubernatorial nominee Rob Sand stating, “Let’s move on. We need some new leadership.”
However, many Democrats, including influential Black women who were instrumental in Biden's decision to select Harris as his running mate, believe she deserves the space to consider her future without premature judgment. California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly stated he would not seek the nomination if Harris decides to run.
Donna Brazile, former chair of the Democratic National Committee, emphasized that Harris is not under immediate pressure to declare her candidacy, calling it a "waste of time" to re-examine her 2024 campaign. Brazile suggested that all White House hopefuls should emulate Harris by actively supporting midterm candidates.
In South Carolina, a state scheduled to hold the first Democratic presidential primary, Harris has yet to announce campaign visits. Political consultant Antjuan Seawright noted that while Harris could present a strong case for herself, any future campaign would need to adopt a different approach. "She’s going to have to admit that she was wrong about some things,” he commented.
Harris faces political complexities in Michigan, particularly concerning the state's Arab American communities, who were largely critical of President Biden's stance on the Gaza conflict and expressed disappointment that Harris did not diverge from his position. El-Sayed, meanwhile, has been an outspoken critic of Israel's military operations, a stance that has caused apprehension among some Jewish voters, leading him to address past controversial remarks.
El-Sayed acknowledged that "there were some hurt feelings” in Michigan stemming from the 2024 election, particularly among Black voters who felt Arab Americans did not sufficiently support Harris. He sees Harris's visit as an opportunity to "bring communities together that have often been torn apart by recent events."
Their joint appearance is also anticipated to reveal dynamics between Harris and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which includes El-Sayed. El-Sayed aims to garner establishment support for his campaign against Republican nominee Mike Rogers. "We can build together on the areas of agreement, and we can come to understand each other far better on the areas where we might have seen eye to eye, and I think her coming into town will help us to do that,” El-Sayed stated.
Compared to potential candidates like Pete Buttigieg, who has been actively campaigning for other Democrats, Harris's political travel has been more measured. While she visited South Carolina in the spring for smaller party events, her focus has also been on behind-the-scenes organizing, such as a call aimed at increasing Black voter turnout. Bre Maxwell, a Democratic National Committee member from South Carolina, suggested that Harris benefits from not being in the constant spotlight, especially given her status as a target for Donald Trump.
Jaime Harrison, a former national party chair, pointed out that Harris's established profile provides her with a distinct advantage in terms of time and resources that other potential candidates may lack. "Many of these folks who do get in quickly would love to have that type of name ID, would love to have that type of network, to have that type of email list,” Harrison said.
Harris herself has indicated no rush to decide on her future, telling NPR last year, "Right now – midterms, midterms, midterms." Her spokesman declined to comment on her timeline.
Beyond Michigan, Harris's itinerary includes stops for Nevada gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, who has also faced speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. "She is certainly being strategic,” Seawright commented, noting that Harris's book tour last year concentrated on cities in Southern states with significant Black voter influence in early presidential primaries.
Despite her current campaigning, there are indications that Harris has not been actively engaging with the party's top donor network. Harris's previous presidential bid in 2020 ended when she withdrew in late 2019 before any primary votes were cast. She was later selected by Biden as his running mate, becoming the first woman and Black person to serve as Vice President.
Following Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race, Harris generated considerable enthusiasm. However, she faced challenges in distancing herself from Biden's record on issues like inflation and immigration. A notable moment included her response on "The View" when she stated she "couldn’t think of anything" she would have done differently. Trump's campaign also targeted her with advertisements.
Seawright advised that if Harris decides to run again, she would need to emphasize moderate positions and demonstrate a willingness to reconsider past stances, suggesting voters reward "authenticity and humility.” Harrison added that while Harris might find it easier to articulate her own platform compared to her role as Vice President, she would also need to shed the formalities associated with the office. "You can’t act like a sitting vice president, standing up on that stage,” he warned, urging her to engage directly with voters at every opportunity. Harrison characterized the potential 2028 race as "the wild, wild west."