Kamala Harris’s Pursuit of the 2028 Presidency: A Challenging Path Ahead
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is making moves toward a 2028 presidential run, even after her party’s notable defeat to Donald Trump in 2024. A recent report from Axios notes that Harris is “stepping toward” this ambition. However, the path to the Democratic nomination appears steep, with her support notably dwindling.
Polling data from the political betting site Polymarket gives Harris merely a 5% chance of landing the Democratic nomination in 2028. Despite these grim statistics, she remains optimistic. Harris recently asserted, “many see me as the most qualified candidate ever to run for president.” The contrast between public perception and her self-evaluation has drawn skepticism online.
One critical voice on social media summarized this sentiment: “Despite losing to Trump in 2024, Harris appears to think highly of herself. Please run.” This tweet highlights the growing disconnect between Harris’s perceptions and the broader voter outlook.
Facing Obstacles Early
The enthusiasm gap is a key hurdle for Harris. Polls from Axios indicate that she trails emerging Democratic leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in favorability for the 2028 primary. In a head-to-head matchup, Ocasio-Cortez leads with 19% support compared to Harris’s 15% among likely Democratic voters, signaling a lack of excitement about her prospects.
This lack of traction is echoed in the betting markets, where Harris ranks significantly lower than other potential candidates like Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg. A successful presidential campaign typically starts with strong early polling, but Harris’s current numbers reflect a stark absence of such momentum. Barack Obama, for instance, garnered double digits in early polls by 2005—years ahead of his eventual nomination in 2008.
Furthermore, Harris’s choice against running for California governor complicates her ambitions. By opting out, she missed the opportunity to build a high-profile platform for a national campaign, risking further detachment from an already tenuous political base.
Struggling with Fundraising
Fundraising remains a crucial barometer for political viability, and here, Harris faces significant challenges. Reports indicate that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez raised over $15 million in 2025, fueled almost entirely by small-dollar donations. This figure starkly contrasts with Harris’s dwindling fundraising capacity. The donor enthusiasm that once supported her has all but evaporated, placing her campaign efforts at a disadvantage against other progressive candidates.
Mounting Competition from Progressives
AOC is proving to be a strong contender among Democratic voters, capable of energizing supporters wherever she goes. In 2024, her rallies drew hundreds of thousands across traditionally Republican states, showcasing her appeal. With a favorability rating of 46%, Ocasio-Cortez outpaces Harris, whose rating hovers around 42%. This trend reveals a shifting landscape within the party—one that increasingly embraces younger, more progressive voices.
Amid rising competition, even lesser-known candidates, such as Dean Phillips and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have created space within the primary, further diluting Harris’s potential support.
Shifting Tides within the Party
The internal dynamics of the Democratic Party are evolving. There is a growing attraction towards candidates who resonate with a more progressive ideology. Advocates of this shift express concern over the viability of far-left candidates in the general election. However, in the primary landscape, voter enthusiasm and donor backing are decidedly tilting away from Harris and toward emerging progressive leaders.
Even as prominent figures like Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg consistently outpoll Harris, it is clear that the atmosphere is shifting. This evolution within the party’s base creates additional challenges for her already uphill struggle.
Conclusion: An Uphill Battle
While Harris has yet to officially declare her candidacy for 2028, her preliminary actions seem misaligned with fundamental indicators such as polling, fundraising trends, and voter enthusiasm. Recognition alone will not drive a successful campaign. Key elements such as an early start, a loyal donor base, and grassroots support are essential. Right now, it appears she lacks traction in all these areas.
The momentum that once buoyed her political career seems to have shifted toward newer candidates, suggesting that voters are eager for fresh faces. As the Democratic primary landscape begins to take shape for 2028, skepticism around Harris’s confidence persists. The combination of betting market predictions, polling data, and dwindling fundraising suggests a challenging road ahead—and little indication that it will regain its former strength.
For now, as expressed in the viral tweet, the response remains somewhat bleak: “Please run.”
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