Democrats Weigh Options Beyond Harris for 2028
As the dust settles from the 2024 election, some moderate Democrats are already looking past former Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2028 presidential nomination, according to a recent report. The shift in sentiment comes after Harris’s unsuccessful 2024 bid and has sparked conversations within the party about potential alternative candidates.
Growing Doubt Among Democrats
A column published by Politico highlighted discussions at a Third Way conference, where several moderate Democrats expressed reservations about another Harris candidacy. Ed Sutton, a South Carolina state senator, stated bluntly, “We tried it, it didn’t work, next person up.” Brad Hutto, another South Carolina state senator, echoed this sentiment, suggesting the party might be hesitant to nominate someone who has already lost a presidential race.1
Harris’s Current Activities
Harris is currently engaged in a book tour promoting her memoir, “107 Days,” which details her historically short presidential campaign. During a recent address, she criticized President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, characterizing it as “full of lies” and comparing his presentation style to “kids going to show and tell at school.”1
Calls for a Winning Candidate
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb voiced a desire for a candidate with a stronger chance of victory, telling the columnist, “My preference would be somebody who can f—ing win.” However, he likewise acknowledged the importance of allowing voters to decide the nominee.1 Steve Benjamin, the first Black mayor of Columbia, South Carolina and a former aide to President Joe Biden, emphasized the unpredictable nature of the political landscape, stating, “We’re in a culture now where it’s whiplash, so if someone else can capture imagination, hearts and souls, they have a shot.”1
Third Way’s Perspective
Jon Cowan, president and co-founder of Third Way, cautioned against a return to “Bidenism” and indicated he doesn’t foresee Harris running in 2028. He expressed concern that a Harris candidacy could divide the Black vote and potentially benefit a more progressive candidate like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Cowan described a potential Harris run as a “disaster,” referencing the challenges of the 2020 primary.1
Concerns About Electability
Lisa Owens Izzo, an activist who supported Biden in 2020, questioned whether the country is ready for a female president, despite Harris’s qualifications. She suggested, “Start over, start over — just my opinion.”1
Harris’s Undecided Status
In December, Harris stated she had not yet decided whether to pursue a 2028 presidential run.1 Her office did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.1
Looking Ahead
The early discussions among Democrats signal a period of evaluation and potential realignment as the party considers its options for the future. Although Harris remains a prominent figure, the growing openness to other candidates suggests a competitive nomination process in 2028.
1 Politico
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