Kamala Harris Engages with Progressive Democrats Ahead of 2028 Presidential Run
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has been quietly reaching out to progressive Democrats, pro-Palestinian activists, and former aides in anticipation of a possible presidential campaign in 2028, according to a report by Axios.
This outreach suggests that Harris is “laying the groundwork for a potential White House run” and aims to strengthen ties with more left-leaning members of her party.
Last Thursday, Harris reportedly spoke with New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani to discuss the Democratic Party’s future and to plan for ongoing dialogue. It’s noted that she has also exchanged texts with Mamdani over the past few months, as mentioned by sources familiar with their interactions.
Notably, this conversation took place just two days after Mamdani’s endorsed candidates won in three Congressional races in New York City, ousting two incumbents.
Earlier this year, Harris met Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) at the Power Rising conference in Chicago, an event aimed at promoting Black women’s advancement.
Axios has highlighted that over the past year, Harris and her team have connected with pro-Palestinian activists, including a leader from the Uncommitted Movement—an initiative formed in response to former President Joe Biden’s Gaza stance.
However, inactive Democratic delegates from the 2024 campaign mentioned that Harris’s team declined requests for a Palestinian-American speaker at the Democratic National Convention, which led some activists to feel politically isolated and conflicted about supporting her.
In a recent Detroit meeting, Harris spoke with Abbas Allawi, co-founder of the Uncommitted Movement, who is also running for the Michigan State Senate. Allawi shared that he would support Harris in 2024.
During their meeting, he reiterated his view that U.S. tax dollars shouldn’t be used to harm civilians or destroy communities. Although Allawi emphasized he wasn’t speaking for the Uncommitted Movement, he indicated that a community member he represents recently lost a relative due to an Israeli airstrike backed by the U.S.
Reports also indicate that Harris engaged in discussions with James Zogby, a veteran member of the Democratic National Committee and advocate for Palestinian rights, in recent weeks.
A Axios report pointed out that many on the left felt let down by Harris’s failure to distance herself from Biden’s pro-Israel stance during the 2024 election cycle.
While serving as vice president, Harris considered herself an advocate for ground-level activists, especially those concerned about the situation in Gaza. In her upcoming book, “107 Days,” she described how she had earnestly urged Biden to show empathy for victims in Gaza, noting a disconnect between his declarations of support for Israel and sensitivity toward Palestinian suffering.
Harris has expressed some frustration about disruptions caused by pro-Palestinian protests during her 2024 campaign events. She acknowledged the complexity of this issue but pointed out that the election’s outcome was indeed binary.
Some pro-Palestinian leaders remain doubtful that Harris can rebuild trust among Arab Americans and left-leaning voters without making significant policy changes. As one strategist put it, “Why should we trust her now? If change is genuine, she needs to prove it.”
Patrick Gaspard, a longtime Democratic strategist, defended Harris’s efforts and noted that she has consistently sought to express empathies that align more closely with grassroots sentiments regarding Palestinians.
According to Axios, despite facing inquiries from various factions within her party, Harris continues to rank high in early polls for the 2028 Democratic presidential contenders.
