Former US Vice President Kamala Harris is weighing a return to the presidential race in 2028, but her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff, has privately expressed reservations about the prospect, while prominent Democratic donors have warned that a second campaign would face steep headwinds, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

What Emhoff Reportedly Said

According to the Journal, Emhoff has told people close to him that he would prefer Harris not seek the presidency again. However, those in his orbit expect he would ultimately back her if she chose to enter the race. The report cited people familiar with the private conversations, and a spokesman for Harris declined to comment on it.

Emhoff's reservations reportedly follow years of gruelling campaign cycles and intense public scrutiny. Harris herself acknowledged the personal cost of the 2024 race in her memoir, '107 Days', describing the pressure that political attacks and public criticism placed on their marriage. Since leaving Washington, Emhoff has resumed practising law in Los Angeles, and the couple have purchased a home in Malibu.

Harris Keeps Her Options Open

Harris has publicly declined to commit either way. 'I have not decided if I'm going to run again,' she said at an NAACP event in Michigan last month, according to the newspaper. She added: 'I do sincerely believe '28 won't matter if we don't get through '26,' signalling that her immediate focus remains on the November congressional elections.

Behind the scenes, however, the former vice president has been taking steps that could lay groundwork for a future campaign — meeting major donors, hiring political staff, and travelling to battleground states to campaign for Democratic candidates ahead of the midterms.

Democratic Donors and Party Figures Divided

The Journal reported that some Democratic donors have privately questioned whether Harris should seek the nomination again, and several party figures believe the party should field a fresh candidate in 2028. This internal debate reflects a broader reckoning within the Democratic Party following its 2024 presidential defeat to Republican Donald Trump, in which Harris was the nominee.

Notably, California Governor Gavin Newsom — himself a possible contender — has reportedly said he would not run if Harris entered the race, underlining the degree to which her decision could reshape the field.

Harris Stays Politically Active

Despite the uncertainty, Harris has remained an active force within the party. She has participated in private fundraisers in California, including events supporting Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and Nevada gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford. She also joined a Democratic National Committee mobilisation call with more than 2,000 volunteers.

Harris is expected to campaign in Nevada and Georgia, including on behalf of Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who is seeking re-election. She continues to work with advisers including former ambassador Candace Bond and communications director Eduardo Negrón, and has maintained ties with Democratic strategist Brian Fallon, who served on her 2024 presidential campaign.

Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, who remains in contact with Harris, told the Journal that the former vice president was concentrating on helping Democratic candidates in the November elections — leaving the 2028 question, for now, unanswered.

Harris's Political Background

Harris served as vice president from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden, becoming the first woman, first Black American, and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. The daughter of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, she previously represented California in the US Senate and served as the state's attorney general. A 2028 bid, should she pursue one, would be her third run at the presidency.

With the midterms serving as her immediate priority and the 2028 field still taking shape, all eyes will be on whether Harris ultimately chooses to make history — or step aside.