Kamala Harris says she is ‘thinking about’ 2028 presidential election bid

Kamala Harris speaking during the National Action Network convention in New York (Angelina Katsanis/AP)

Former US vice president Kamala Harris has said she is actively considering another presidential bid.

She made the comments during the National Action Network’s annual convention, where more than a half a dozen Democratic 2028 presidential prospects appeared hoping to make inroads among black voters.

“I might. I am thinking about it,” Ms Harris told Rev Al Sharpton after he asked directly whether she was going to run again for president in 2028.

Kamala Harris speaking to Rev Al Sharpton (Angelina Katsanis/AP)

The Democrats’ next presidential primary season will not begin in earnest until after November’s mid-term elections, but this week’s conference showcased a collection of Democrats already jockeying for position in what promises to be a crowded competition.

For now, at least, there is no clear early favourite. But there did appear to be a favourite at Rev Sharpton’s conference.

Ms Harris, the nation’s first black female vice president and the Democrats’ presidential nominee in 2024, earned the only standing ovation and the largest crowd of any other 2028 prospect this week.

Some in the audience interrupted her remarks with chants of “run again”.

Kamala Harris made the comments at the National Action Network convention (Angelina Katsanis/AP)

Rev Sharpton noted that Ms Harris earned more votes in her losing 2024 campaign than even former Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

“Whatever she decides to do, she made a point in history,” he said.

Ms Harris has raised the possibility of another presidential bid before in the 15 months since she left office, even as some in the party have shifted their focus to a new generation of Democratic leaders.

The convention line-up this week featured, among others, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, Illinois governor JB Pritzker, Maryland governor Wes Moore and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear.

I know what the job is and I know what it requires

Most of them were asked about their 2028 intentions, but Ms Harris was the most explicit.

Three times she repeated, “I’m thinking about it”, when Rev Sharpton asked her about a 2028 White House run.

“I served for four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States. I spent countless hours in my West Wing office footsteps away from the Oval Office. I spent countless hours in the Oval Office and the situation room. I know what the job is, and I know what it requires,” Ms Harris said.

She continued: “I am thinking about it in the context of who and where and how can the best job be done for the American people. That’s how I’m thinking about it. I’ll keep you posted.”