Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, has reportedly told some people in private that he would prefer she not run for president again.
Harris Says She Is Undecided
Some donors have also told Harris directly that a bid would be a long shot, according to multiple people familiar with the conversations, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
Harris said at an NAACP event in Michigan in September, “I have not decided if I’m going to run again,” according to the report.
Harris also told Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network convention in April, “I might. I’m thinking about it.”
The report said she has taken steps that could be a precursor to a presidential bid, including speaking with major donors, hiring staff and traveling to battleground states to boost Democratic candidates in the November midterms.
Benzinga reached out to Harris for comment but did not immediately receive a response from her.
Emhoff, Donors and Others Around Harris
People close to Emhoff expect he will support her if she decides to run, according to the report.
In her memoir of the 2024 campaign, “107 Days,” Harris describes Emhoff as protective and supportive, the report noted.
Some of the people familiar with the conversations said Harris’ recent moves have made some donors uneasy about her intentions.
Some people who have known and worked with Harris are skeptical she will ultimately mount another run, the report said.
The 2028 Democratic Field
Many Democrats, including some who remain close to her, think the party needs a fresh candidate in 2028, while Harris leads the hypothetical Democratic field in most 2028 national primary polls, the report added.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) said in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper that he would not seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 if Harris enters the race, saying, “I wouldn’t run if she ran.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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