After her defeat in the presidential race, Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, is taking some time off in Hawaii and planning her next steps. Despite her recent setback, Harris is not ready to step back from her political career. In fact, she is considering multiple paths, including running for president again in 2028 or even running for governor of her home state, California, in two years. As she has expressed to her advisers, “I am staying in the fight.”
Considering Her Options
Details of Harris’ future plans are expected to be discussed during the winter holiday season with her family. As per sources close to Harris, the Vice President isn’t rushing to decide her next steps. One of her former campaign aides suggested that her immediate goal would likely be setting up a platform that allows her to continue her political engagements, such as delivering speeches and maintaining her political relationships.
One of Harris’ immediate concerns is defining her stance against former President Donald Trump and re-establishing her role in the Democratic Party. With the completion of her term as Vice President, she will preside over the certification of the November election she lost to Trump and will attend his inauguration on January 20. “There will be a desire to hear her voice, and there won’t be a vacuum for long,” asserted an associate close to Harris.
Dealing with Future Challenges
Going forward, Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, will need to make several important decisions. For starters, they will have to decide their permanent residence. This decision carries weight as Harris’ Secret Service protection expires six months after stepping away from her vice-presidential role, raising concerns about her safety.
Furthermore, as Harris transitions out of public office for the first time in two decades, she will need to consider establishing a federal committee to raise funds. This will involve setting up a personal office and managing her extensive online presence without the structure provided by her daily government duties.
Harris’ Future in Politics
Regardless of her recent defeat, Harris has accrued significant political capital, as pointed out by Donna Brazile, a close ally of Harris and campaign manager for Al Gore. Brazile emphasized the importance of not rushing into decisions and squandering this political capital. Harris’ standing in the party increased during her short campaign, which is a rarity in electoral politics. This gives her a unique advantage as she plans her future political career.
A recent poll showed Harris leading the 2028 field with 41 percent, significantly higher than other potential candidates. However, Harris’ path is not without obstacles. As one Democratic strategist pointed out, the party might not turn to her a second time. If Harris decides against running in 2028, she might consider running for governor of California. However, this decision would require her to focus on state-level issues, leaving little room for a presidential campaign.
As Harris navigates these significant decisions, she remains committed to her political career. “She is not someone who makes rash decisions,” said Brian Brokaw, a former Harris aide. “People can learn a lot from their previous adversity, too.” Thus, despite her recent setback, Harris’ political journey is far from over.
