Douglas Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, does not want his wife to run for president again after her failed presidential campaign against President Donald Trump, according to reports. 30% of Democrats, however, reportedly do want Harris to run again in 2028.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Emhoff, the former second gentleman of the United States, was “among those who have shared concerns with others about another run,” as Harris makes moves that appear to signal her intent to try for the presidency another go.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the CHCI 47th Annual Legislative Conference, Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Kamala Harris. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
“She is one of several high-profile Democrats who are weighing a White House bid and laying the groundwork for a campaign if they decide to move forward,” the Wall Street Journal reported.
Harris is the Frontrunner Among Potential Democratic Candidates in 2028
While Emhoff might be among those who do not want to see the former vice president run for the presidency again, members of the Democratic base are of a different opinion, with a reported 30% of Democrats expressing support for a Harris 2028 campaign.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was the second-most-popular Democratic candidate for 2028, with 15% of Democrats throwing their support behind a potential Newsom 2028 campaign.
Newsom, however, has repeatedly said he will not run for president in 2028 if Harris decides to run again.
“I wouldn’t do that to her,” the governor told CNN’s Jake Tapper in September. “I wouldn’t waste everybody’s time.”
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tied for the third-most-popular 2028 Democratic candidates with 9% each, followed by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff at 8%.
Does Harris Have a Better Shot at the Presidency Than 2024? Only Time Will Tell
Harris was defeated by Trump in the 2024 presidential election, narrowly losing the popular vote by less than 2%.
Harris became the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee late in the race after then-President Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy amid party concerns over his health, cognitive ability, and widely panned debate performances.
Despite a strong initial showing in the polls, Harris’ campaign quickly lost momentum and was defeated, giving Trump a non-consecutive second term in the White House.
While Democratic candidates secured an overwhelming victory of the Republican Party in this month’s midterms, the results were more of an indictment of Trump’s White House than an endorsement of the Democratic Party, and the identity of the party going into 2028 has yet to be seen.
Democratic Congressman Warns Party Not to Take Victory For Granted
Following the Democratic Party’s midterm victory, Democratic Congressman Jason Crow warned his party not to take voters for granted, arguing that the results of the election were no indication the party was on the path to victory in 2028.
“It’s really important that a takeaway is that we are being given an opportunity. That the message should not be, people are completely happy with the Democratic Party, that they think we’re crushing it, and we’re back. That’s not the message,” he said. “The message is that people are suffering under Donald Trump, that he is a failed president and hasn’t delivered.”
Crow advised, “They are open to giving Democrats a chance. And this is an opportunity that’s going to require us to really focus on showing that we deserve their support going forward.”
The Republican Frontrunner in 2028 is Uncertain
It also remains to be seen who the Republican presidential frontrunner in 2028 will be, with Vice President JD Vance’s prospects coming into question following the results of the midterms and the growing unpopularity of Trump’s administration.
Alongside Vance, other Republican contenders for the presidency in 2028 could include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and former Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin.
Vance is currently leading the polls, followed by Marco Rubio in second place, with other potential contenders being named in the media, including former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and President Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr.
Several major Republican presidential candidates from 2024 are unlikely to return, including former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former vice president Mike Pence, and billionaire Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy.
Ramaswamy was defeated in Ohio’s gubernatorial election this month, losing to Democratic candidate Amy Acton following a campaign plagued by scandal and controversy.
About the Author: Charlie Nash
Charlie Nash is a journalist and author whose work has appeared in The Spectator, Mediaite, New Statesman, and the American Conservative, among other major publications. His reporting has been featured by The Washington Post, Fox News, the Daily Beast, MS NOW, NewsNation, Hannity, and more. You can follow Charlie on X at @CharlieNash and on LinkedIn.
