Kamala Harris left the National Action Network with a hint. She told the crowd she’s “thinking about” running for president in 2028.
A tentative answer on a big question
At the National Action Network convention in New York on Friday, former vice-president Kamala Harris avoided a firm commitment but didn’t close the door. Asked directly by Reverend Al Sharpton whether she would seek the White House again in 2028, Harris responded: "I might, I might. I'm thinking about it, I'm thinking about it," said Kamala Harris, former vice-president and the Democratic nominee in 2024.
This isn’t a campaign launch, but it clearly shows she’s publicly considering her options. She also seems eager to maintain support among key Democratic groups, especially Black voters who filled the room and chanted "run again" during her speech.
What she said and why it mattered
Harris framed her deliberations in credentials and concerns. "I served for four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States … I know what the job is and I know what it requires," Harris said, stressing experience gained in office. She also argued the status quo in US politics "is not working" for many people and spoke about cutting bureaucracy in government so people get progress, not process.
She didn’t limit herself to campaign talk. Harris criticised President Donald Trump’s approach to alliances, calling him "the first president of the United States since World War Two who doesn't believe in the alliances that we have with friendly nations" and warning that his posture has weakened American influence.
She also called the US war on Iran a "war of choice" and warned of a possible rollback of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, saying, "I am sad to say, I do believe they're going to kill it," according to remarks reported at the event.
Her remarks put foreign policy and voting rights at the heart of her message to activists. They also offered a preview of the themes she’d emphasise if she does run — alliances, democratic safeguards and practical government reform.
Standing ovations, a packed room and a changing field
Harris earned the largest crowd and the only standing ovation among the many Democrats who have appeared at the convention this week, a point Reverend Al Sharpton highlighted. "Whatever she decides to do, she made a point in history," said Reverend Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, noting Harris’s distinctive place as the first Black female vice-president and a recent nominee.
Thing is, the Democratic bench is deepening. The convention featured a clutch of possible 2028 contenders, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Senator Mark Kelly and Representative Ro Khanna. Many of those figures either expressed interest or declined to rule out bids, turning the convention into an early test of support among Black voters — a key bloc for Democrats.
What Harris has done since 2024
Harris has been active since leaving office. She has travelled widely across the United States over the past year and launched a political action committee aimed at supporting Democratic efforts, particularly in the South where the party has struggled. Her travel and organising have a twofold purpose: to build a network and to test messages in battleground communities.
She urged attendees to be pragmatic about voting logistics, telling people to check their voter registrations now and to confirm polling locations because of local closures and roll purges — a practical push to protect turnout that dovetails with her warnings about possible changes to voting law protections.
Political implications inside the United States
A Harris candidacy would change the early dynamics of the Democratic primary. Her name recognition and record would make her an immediate heavy hitter, especially with Black voters and in some urban centres. But her 2024 defeat and the party’s search for new leaders also matter. Some Democrats are already looking to a younger generation of governors and senators as fresh alternatives.
Harris’s decision would force other contenders to sharpen their appeals on both policy and electability. If she runs, primary debates are likely to centre on foreign policy — especially the handling of the Iran conflict — voting rights and executive competence.
Voters who value proven leadership might respond to her experience as vice-president and senator in these areas.
Economic and foreign-policy implications for Australia
US presidential politics matter to Australia because of the alliance, trade links and shared security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. Harris’s criticism of a US leader she said has weakened alliances signals that, if she runs and campaigns on rebuilding partnerships, Canberra could find a willing partner for reasserting traditional alliance ties. That matters for defence cooperation, joint exercises and intelligence-sharing arrangements between Canberra and Washington.
At the moment, the region is closely watching how Washington defines its commitments. A candidate emphasising alliances could reassure Australian officials worried about a transactional turn in US diplomacy. A different tack from Washington might prompt Canberra to accelerate its own regional partnerships and defence planning.
There’s an economic angle too. US policy toward the Middle East and toward Iran in particular can affect energy markets and global trade flows. Moves that increase geopolitical tension typically lift volatility in commodity markets. For Australia — an exporter of energy and minerals and a participant in global supply chains — those swings have real knock-on effects. Markets tend to react poorly to uncertainty. Policy choices coming out of the next US election will matter for investors and planners in Australia.
What to watch next
Harris said she’ll keep people informed. "I’ll keep you posted," she told the crowd. That short line is as close to a timeline as she offered. For now, many Democrats will be watching her travel, fundraising and organising for signs she’s building the infrastructure needed for a national campaign.
Campaign operations, donor networks and early polling will be the practical tests. A candidate can hint all they like at a convention, but running a presidential campaign requires ground game and money. Harris’s political action committee and her travel through battleground regions suggest she’s at least preparing to make those tests.
The convention itself will remain a barometer. If Harris returns to the stage in coming months with an expanded ground operation and donor momentum, the conversation about the 2028 field will shift again. But until she files the paperwork, her announcement remains a possibility rather than a plan.
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"I'll keep you posted," Harris said at the National Action Network convention.
This article was created with AI assistance.
