Kamala Harris’ Husband Reportedly Wary of 2028 Run for Her: What Polls Show
Former Vice President Kamala Harris‘ husband, Doug Emhoff, is reportedly wary of another presidential campaign for her, even as early polling continues to show Harris among the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination in 2028.
Emhoff has privately told some people he would prefer Harris not run for president again, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Friday. The newspaper also reported that some Democratic donors have warned Harris that another White House bid could face long odds following her defeat to President Donald Trump in 2024.
The reported concerns come as Harris continues to leave the door open to another White House bid while maintaining a high profile ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Although she has not announced a decision about 2028, she has traveled to battleground states, appeared at fundraisers and worked closely with political advisers, fueling speculation about her plans.
Newsweek reached out to representatives for Harris and Emhoff for comment.
The Journal report did not include direct comments from Emhoff and noted that people close to him expect he would support Harris if she ultimately decides to run.
Emhoff has previously signaled that the decision would be Harris’ alone.
During an Election Day 2025 interview, he was asked about speculation surrounding her political future after Harris said she was “not done.”
“It was interesting,” Emhoff said, recalling that he jokingly asked Harris about the comment.
“I’ll leave that for her,” he continued. “She’s entitled to do what she wants at this point, and I’m going to support her whatever she decides to do in the future.”
While Emhoff did not indicate whether he personally wanted Harris to seek the presidency again, he made clear that he would support whatever course she chooses.
Harris Keeps 2028 Options Open
Harris has repeatedly declined to rule out another presidential campaign. Speaking at an NAACP event in Michigan last month, she acknowledged continued speculation about her political future but stopped short of making any announcement.
“I have not decided if I’m going to run again,” Harris said. “I do sincerely believe ’28 won’t matter if we don’t get through ’26.”
According to the Journal, Harris has met with donors, hired staff and campaigned for Democratic candidates across the country. Some Democrats view those moves as laying the foundation for a future White House campaign.
Her future remains a subject of debate within the party after she became the Democratic nominee in 2024 following then-President Joe Biden‘s withdrawal from the race and later lost to Trump in the general election.
What Polls Show
Despite reported concerns from some donors and allies, Harris continues to perform strongly in hypothetical Democratic primary polling.
A Harvard-Harris survey released in September found Harris leading the prospective Democratic field with 38 percent support, down 4 points from August but still well ahead of California Governor Gavin Newsom at 17 percent. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was third at 12 percent.
Another September survey from Echelon Insights likewise showed Harris leading the field with 24 percent support, ahead of Newsom at 14 percent and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 10 percent.
For some Democrats, however, those numbers come with an important caveat.
Harris entered the closing weeks of the 2024 campaign in an extremely competitive race with Trump. While many public polls showed a virtual tie and some polling averages gave her a narrow advantage, Trump ultimately won both the Electoral College and the popular vote.
That outcome continues to shape discussions about whether early primary polling is a reliable indicator of general-election strength. Supporters argue Harris remains one of the party’s most recognizable figures. Critics contend Democrats should consider a new generation of candidates after the party’s 2024 defeat.
Newsom, another potential 2028 contender, recently suggested he would be reluctant to challenge Harris if she enters the race.
For now, Harris has not announced whether she will run in 2028. But with Democrats increasingly turning their attention beyond the midterms and toward the next presidential cycle, questions about her future are likely to persist for months to come.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander and Edward T. Cummins
