Former Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly hinted at a potential run for the White House in the 2028 presidential election, sparking speculation about her political future. Speaking at the National Action Network (NAN) convention in New York City on Friday, Harris responded to a question from civil rights leader Al Sharpton about another presidential bid with a teasing remark.
Harris Teases Presidential Ambitions
"I might, I might. I'm thinking about it," Harris told the crowd, acknowledging her consideration of a 2028 campaign. She elaborated on her perspective, drawing from her experience as vice president under Joe Biden. "I served for four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States ... I know what the job is and I know what it requires," Harris stated, emphasising her intimate understanding of the role's demands.
Harris framed her potential candidacy around serving the American people, noting widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo. "I've been traveling the country the last year, spending a lot of time in the south and many other places, and the one thing I'm really clear about is ... the status quo is not working and hasn't been working for a lot of people for a long time," she explained. She added that any decision would be made "in the context of ... who and where and how can the best job be done for the American people."
Sharp Criticism of Trump Administration
During her address, Harris launched a strong critique of former President Donald Trump's foreign policy, particularly his approach to international alliances. She labelled Trump as "the first president of the United States since world war two who does not believe in the alliances that we have with friendly nations ... and the importance that that relationship bears on our standing around the world."
Harris also condemned Trump's handling of the conflict with Iran, calling it a "war of choice." She argued that his aggressive rhetoric is counterproductive, stating, "While he struts around boasting about how he will annihilate a whole people, what he is in fact doing ... is making us weaker, unreliable and less influential."
Warnings on Voting Rights Erosion
A significant portion of Harris's speech focused on the threat to voting rights across the United States. She expressed concern about the Supreme Court's potential decision on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires race to be considered to ensure fair representation for minorities. "I am sad to say, I do believe they are going to kill it, and that will mean that the legal tool that we have to be able to litigate in a court what are clearly racist-influenced laws to prevent certain people from voting – we're going to lose the tool that we have had before," Harris warned.
She urged voters to take proactive steps to protect their voting access, advising them to check their voter status and polling locations well before election day. "Don't wait until election day to see if, for example, your name got purged from the rolls," Harris cautioned, highlighting tactics like polling place closures that could disenfranchise voters.
Buttigieg Also Signals 2028 Intentions
Following Harris's appearance, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also suggested he might launch a presidential campaign in 2028. During his conversation with Sharpton, when asked about reserving a table at Sylvia's restaurant in Harlem for a future campaign meeting, Buttigieg responded, "You save your seat. I'll be there," implying his plans to run.
Buttigieg echoed Harris's criticisms, lambasting the Trump administration's policies and warning about voting rights. "This administration has adopted a seek and destroy approach to anything that even looks like it might have something to do with helping disadvantaged communities," he said. He called for stronger Democratic leadership, asserting, "Nothing is stopping us but ourselves in our leadership. That's why we need better leadership. Of course the other guys are bad but that's not all there is to it."
Prominent Democrats Gather at NAN Convention
The NAN convention has become a key gathering for Democratic figures, with several potential 2028 contenders taking the stage this week. Attendees included Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, among others. Discussions centred on the upcoming midterms, affordability issues, the war in Iran, and the party's future direction.
Harris's appearance at the event underscores her continued influence within the Democratic Party, particularly in the Black community. Sharpton recently told Politico that Harris is "absolutely a potent force in the Black community" and that she has been overlooked, a point he aimed to highlight at the convention. Harris is also scheduled to appear at a fundraiser for the South Carolina Democratic Party next week, further signalling her active role in party politics.
As the 2028 election cycle begins to take shape, Harris's remarks position her as a serious contender, while Buttigieg's comments add to the growing list of potential Democratic candidates. The convention served as a platform for these figures to outline their visions and critique the current political landscape, setting the stage for future campaigns.
