Democratic Senators Hesitant on 2028 Presidential Support Amid Kamala Harris’s Potential Bid

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a possible presidential run in 2028, but key Democratic senators are not quick to express support for her potential bid. In a statement, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., mentioned, “Well, I’ve backed her before, but there’ll be other contenders this time. I’ve made no decisions about who I would support.”

Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., expects a competitive primary: “I think we’re going to have a very messy and big primary. It’s going to be every Tom, Dick, and Harry. And that’s probably where it should be.”

“We’ve got a lot of people who are going to run and I think we should sort that out after the midterms,” said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.

Harris recently returned to campaigning alongside Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. She has yet to decide on a 2028 run, emphasizing success in upcoming elections: “We’re focused on 2026,” said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md. “We’re gonna win back the House and the Senate.” She added her support for Harris but stressed the importance of the mid-term elections.

Questions about Harris’s candidacy in 2028 seem premature to many in her party; Congressional candidate Claire Valdez and others joined Sen. Bernie Sanders in rallying for primary challenges in New York. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., expressed support for an open Democratic primary: “This is going to be a wide-open primary, and again, that’s democracy at its best. Everyone who wants to run should be able to run for office here.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, representing the progressive wing, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are also seen as possible contenders. Newsom indicated he would not run if Harris decides to pursue the presidency. According to a recent University of New Hampshire Granite State Poll, Ocasio-Cortez leads with 22% support among likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire; Harris has 5% support. Both Harris and Ocasio-Cortez have yet to announce any campaigns.

Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., calls for a broad discussion about the country’s future through a diverse candidacy pool: “We should have a lot of candidates running.”