Vice President Harris Plans Next Move: A Political Crossroads After Historic Campaign
Vice President Kamala Harris finds herself at a crucial turning point following her defeat in the 2024 presidential election. After serving as President Biden’s running mate and then taking the helm of the Democratic ticket, Harris now weighs multiple paths forward in both state and national politics.
Immediate Plans and Recovery
Following the November election, Harris regrouped in Hawaii with family and senior advisers. Despite the electoral setback, she clarified to her inner circle, “I am staying in the fight.”
This determination comes after an extraordinary four-month period that saw her rise from vice president to presidential nominee, energizing Democrats before ultimately falling short on election night.
Political Options on the Horizon
The Vice President’s team is actively exploring several potential paths:
2028 Presidential Bid: Early polling shows Harris leading potential Democratic contenders with 41% support, well ahead of governors Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, and other prominent Democrats. However, some party strategists remain skeptical about her chances in another presidential run.
California Governorship: A more immediate opportunity lies in the 2026 California governor’s race. Recent polls from UC Berkeley show that nearly half of California voters would likely support Harris. The position would allow her to lead the nation’s largest state and build a fresh executive record.
Current Focus and Transition
In the immediate term, Harris and her team are working to:
- Define her role in opposing Trump’s policies
- Complete her vice presidential duties, including certifying the election results
- Plan for life after leaving the Naval Observatory
- Please set up a personal office and maintain her substantial online presence
Party Standing and Future Prospects
Democratic strategists note that Harris’s brief 2024 campaign improved her standing within the party – a rare occurrence in electoral politics. “She proved a lot of skeptics wrong as a political athlete,” notes a close Harris ally. Her moderate positioning during the campaign could serve her well as the Democratic Party appears to be shifting toward the center.
Unique Position in Political History
At 60, Harris remains relatively young in terms of politics. Unlike previous vice presidents who lost presidential bids, she inherited the nomination just months before the election. This unusual circumstance, combined with her groundbreaking role as the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president, gives her a unique platform.
Strategic Considerations
Harris faces some critical strategic decisions:
- Timing of any future campaign announcements
- The geographic base of operations after leaving Washington
- Structure of her political organization
- The balance between immediate visibility and long-term planning
Former Harris aide Brian Brokaw observes: “She is not someone who makes rash decisions. She takes, sometimes, a painfully long time to make decisions. So I would guarantee she has no idea what her next move is.”
Looking Ahead
As Harris prepares to leave office in January, she maintains significant political capital despite the election outcome. With over 74 million votes received and strong recognition among Democrats nationwide, she remains a powerful force in national politics. The coming months will be crucial as she charts her course through America’s changing political landscape.
Whether pursuing the presidency in 2028, seeking the California governorship, or choosing another path, Kamala Harris has positioned herself as a critical figure in the Democratic Party’s future.
One adviser noted, “The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would allow her to travel, give speeches, and preserve her political relationships.”
The political world watches with interest as this groundbreaking leader determines her next move in American public life.