Kamala Harris returns to campaign trail ahead of US midterms, leaves 2028 presidential bid undecided

Former US vice president Kamala Harris has returned to the campaign trail to support Democrats in some of the closest races ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Her return has renewed speculation over her political future as she weighs a possible third presidential bid in 2028.

Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election, has maintained a relatively low public profile this year. Her latest campaign appearances across Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire and Wisconsin come as Democrats seek to break the Republican grip on Congress.

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The tour also puts Harris back in the political spotlight as potential contenders begin positioning themselves for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination. However, she has yet to decide whether to enter the race.

Harris began her campaign tour in Las Vegas on Tuesday, delivering a speech that criticised President Donald Trump's administration while drawing on the motivational messaging that has featured prominently in her public appearances. She addressed members of the Culinary Workers Union alongside Nevada gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford, the state's first Black attorney general.

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Harris described Ford as a potential history-maker, saying he would be the "first Black governor west of the Mississippi."

"We got a serious fight in front of us," Harris said. "We are witnessing pure brutality come out of what is undoubtedly the most corrupt, callous and incompetent presidential administration."

Her return to the campaign trail comes despite limited evidence of broad public support. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in June found that 39% of Americans viewed Harris favourably. The figure, however, varied sharply across political groups, with 82% of Democrats expressing a favourable opinion, compared with 7% of Republicans and 33% of independents.

"At the end of a campaign, you bring out your heavy hitters," said Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a member of the Democratic National Committee. "That's what's going on here with her, and frankly with Trump."

On Wednesday, Harris travelled to Columbus, Mississippi, where she campaigned for Scott Colom, a Democratic candidate seeking to become the state's first Democratic US senator elected since 1982. Colom is challenging Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith in a contest that polling suggests could be unusually competitive.

Addressing supporters, Harris urged young people not to let others' perceptions restrict their ambitions.

"Never let someone else's limited ability to see your capacity be a limitation on your ambition," she said, repeating the line to louder cheers from the crowd.

A potential presidential campaign in 2028 would place Harris among the most recognisable figures in what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field. But her previous electoral defeats could complicate another attempt to secure the party's nomination.

Harris lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential election after replacing then-President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee. Her earlier presidential campaign, launched for the 2020 election, ended before the party's nominating contests began.

A fresh bid would also bring renewed scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race. Biden abandoned his reelection campaign amid concerns about his health and mental acuity, leaving Harris to take over as the party's nominee with just 107 days remaining before the election.

In her memoir, 107 Days, Harris described Biden's decision to seek reelection as "reckless". She has also sharpened her criticism of his administration's approach to Israel's war in Gaza, recently condemning the Israeli government's "horrific conduct" and saying Washington should have "acted sooner and more forcefully."

Kamarck said these issues would likely resurface if Harris sought the presidency again.

"All these things will be relitigated," Kamarck said. "What happened to Biden? Did she know? Did she think he was losing it? And on and on and on."

Democratic strategist Scott Ferson, author of 'How the Democrats Lost America', said the party has historically been reluctant to rally behind candidates who have already lost presidential elections. However, he suggested that voters who have become disillusioned with Trump could reconsider Harris.

"She has that kind of crossover appeal," Ferson said, "particularly with people who left in 2024 or stayed home."

Ferson said Harris's message could appeal to voters who either supported other candidates or did not vote in the previous presidential election, prompting them to reconsider their choices.

Harris says 2026 comes first

Harris has continued to face questions about her political future during public appearances. On the video podcast 'Baby, This Is Keke Palmer' this month, actor Keke Palmer asked whether she intended to run for president again.

"Oh, girl, come on!" Harris said, laughing while gripping the hands of the Hollywood movie star. "I haven't decided yet."

She then redirected attention to the upcoming midterm elections, emphasising that the party's immediate electoral prospects would take precedence over speculation about the next presidential race.

"But the midterms, the midterms, the midterms," Harris went on. "2028 don't matter if we don't do 2026 right."