Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ political future remains uncertain months after her election loss to President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. While Harris has not made any public announcements about her next steps, reports suggest she is weighing her options and exploring potential opportunities in both state and national politics.
According to New York Magazine, Harris has been in discussions with close family, friends, and advisors since the election, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton, who herself faced a high-profile loss in the 2016 presidential election, is reportedly one of Harris’ confidantes and has spoken with her on several occasions. The conversations have fueled speculation about Harris’ potential plans, with some observers noting similarities between the two women’s political trajectories.
The fact that both Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris were both beaten by the same man, Donald J. Trump, and are now having to sit thru his SECOND inauguration cannot be overstated. pic.twitter.com/OAEi2yO2NE
— Laura W. (@BumpstockBarbie) January 20, 2025
One possibility being discussed is a gubernatorial run in California, where Harris previously served as Attorney General. Current Governor Gavin Newsom, a close ally of Harris, is nearing the end of his second term and is unable to seek reelection due to term limits. This has created an opening that some believe Harris could pursue, leveraging her statewide recognition and existing support base in California.
However, others believe Harris remains focused on the presidency. Shortly after the election, Harris reportedly told advisors to avoid making any plans that would rule out a 2028 presidential bid, according to sources cited by New York Magazine. While Harris has not publicly addressed her future ambitions, she has given hints that her political career is far from over.
In her final days as vice president, Harris participated in a tradition among departing officials, signing her desk drawer and delivering remarks to her staff. During the brief speech, Harris stated that she would not “go quietly into the night” and emphasized that the work they started together is “not done.” This sentiment echoed her concession speech after the election, in which she encouraged supporters to continue fighting for the causes championed during her campaign.
Harris’ defeat in 2024 followed a tumultuous election cycle. After President Joe Biden launched his reelection campaign in early 2023, his performance in a key debate and other challenges led to his decision to withdraw from the race in July 2024. At that time, Biden endorsed Harris, effectively making her the Democratic Party’s nominee. While this endorsement secured her place at the top of the ticket, some critics argued that it hurt her candidacy by framing her nomination as predetermined, which may have alienated some voters seeking a more competitive primary process.
The campaign also faced challenges in mobilizing voters. Despite endorsements from prominent figures in Hollywood, Harris struggled to overcome what some political analysts described as a disconnect with parts of the electorate. High-profile support, including endorsements from figures like Taylor Swift, ultimately did not translate into the votes needed to secure victory.
In her concession speech, Harris struck a defiant tone, vowing to continue the fight for the ideals and policies she campaigned on. “The outcome of this election is not what we hoped, not what we fought for, not what we voted for,” she said. “But hear when I say … the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.”
As Harris navigates her post-election path, political observers will be watching closely to see whether she chooses to focus on opportunities in California, positions herself for another presidential run, or charts an entirely different course in the coming years.
