Former Vice President Kamala Harris is stepping back into the political arena with a major appearance at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) fundraiser in New York City. The high-dollar event, where tickets range up to $25,000, is part of her post-election reemergence following a crushing defeat to Donald Trump last November.
Harris will headline the Tuesday night gathering of top Democratic donors and operatives, participating in a Q&A with national party chair Ken Martin. The appearance comes as Harris is reportedly weighing her political future, including a 2026 run for California governor or a 2028 presidential bid.
While no official announcement has been made, insiders say Harris has told allies she expects to decide on a gubernatorial campaign by the end of summer. The current governor, Gavin Newsom, is term-limited, and Harris—once California’s attorney general—would be the clear frontrunner if she entered the race.
Democratic strategist and DNC committee member Maria Cardona told Fox News that Harris is “a beloved figure in the Democratic Party” and that “using her to rally support and fundraising is smart strategy.”
Indeed, Harris demonstrated considerable fundraising strength during her short-lived 2024 campaign, pulling in over $1 billion in just three and a half months after replacing Joe Biden atop the ticket in July. That financial muscle is now being redirected to help the DNC rebuild after devastating losses in the 2024 cycle, including the White House, Senate, and a failed bid to reclaim the House.
The DNC plans to use funds from events like this to boost its ground game ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Still, Harris’ political stock isn’t without challenges. Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee told Fox News that many on the left are skeptical of a Harris 2028 run, pointing to her poor showings in both the 2020 and 2024 primaries.
“She had her chance,” Green said. “Sometimes you have to know when to step away.”
He argued that Harris represents establishment politics at a time when the base wants populist reformers who can challenge the system—hinting that figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are better positioned for the future of the party.
Harris has begun reengaging the public with speeches and interviews, including recent remarks in San Francisco where she slammed President Trump’s economic policies and warned his tariff regime was leading the country toward recession.
“Kamala Harris understands the fight that we are in,” Cardona emphasized, praising her visibility during this critical period as Democrats regroup.
Meanwhile, speculation about other 2028 contenders is heating up. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has made moves in early primary states, and Ocasio-Cortez’s recent rallies with Bernie Sanders drew viral attention. While she hasn’t confirmed presidential ambitions, her national tour and media buzz are fueling rumors that she could run—or even primary Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2028.
As Harris meets with advisors and donors, she’s made it clear she isn’t stepping aside. In a video message to the DNC earlier this year, she promised to be with the party “every step of the way.” And in April, she told a California audience, “I’m not going anywhere.”
The next few months could clarify whether Harris’ political resurrection is real—or simply the final lap of a two-time national campaigner who never quite connected with voters.
For now, her role as a Democratic powerbroker—and top fundraiser—remains intact.
