What’s Next for Kamala Harris After Her Defeat?
Two months after a bruising election loss to Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris faces a moment of profound reflection. On Monday, she’ll preside over the Senate’s certification of Trump’s Electoral College victory, an unusual and humbling role for someone who just lost to him.
Standing at the Speaker’s rostrum in the House chamber, Harris will fulfill her constitutional duty, officially acknowledging Trump’s win. It’s a scene reminiscent of moments in U.S. history when other defeated candidates—like Al Gore in 2001 and Richard Nixon in 1961—had to certify their own losses.
A High-Stakes Campaign Ends in Defeat
Harris’s journey to this point was extraordinary. Elevated to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Joe Biden’s late exit from the race, her campaign was a sprint against the clock. In just over 100 days, she restructured the campaign, picked a running mate, and led her party’s convention. Despite winning 75 million votes, Harris fell short as Trump reclaimed the White House, flipping key battleground states and even capturing the popular vote.
Questions of What Comes Next
Now, Harris and her team are weighing her next move. Will she make another run for the presidency in 2028? Could she aim for the governor’s mansion in California when Gavin Newsom’s term ends in 2026? Or will she leave politics altogether and pursue other opportunities?
Recent history offers mixed lessons. Prominent Democrats like Al Gore, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton chose not to run again after losing. Yet Harris’s supporters point to her significant voter base and argue she could chart a path similar to Trump, who rebounded after his 2020 loss.
Still, skepticism lingers within the Democratic Party. Some strategists believe fresh faces like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer or Illinois Governor JB Pritzker could energize the party more effectively in 2028. Others criticize Harris’s struggles to connect with key voter blocs, particularly Black and Latino voters, during the campaign.
Reflecting on the Race
Harris’s team insists she’s in no rush to decide. Close allies, like Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, say she’s taking time to process the campaign’s challenges and successes. In the meantime, Harris has continued to fulfill her role as vice president, even as she contemplates her post-political life.
Supporters highlight the obstacles she faced during the campaign, particularly Biden’s decision to enter the race late and then withdraw just months before the election. They argue this left Harris little time to define herself independently from Biden. Despite the hurdles, Harris emerged more popular than when she began, according to her aides.
Exploring Her Options
For Harris, the road ahead is full of possibilities. She could pursue a global leadership role, tackling issues she’s passionate about, such as climate change or women’s rights. Alternatively, she might consider running for governor of California, a position that could offer her a unique platform while challenging Trump’s policies directly.
Some allies also suggest she could step back from elected office altogether, perhaps establishing a foundation or teaching at her alma mater, Howard University. Others believe she could thrive in a future Democratic administration as attorney general or secretary of state.
A Legacy in Progress
As Harris navigates her next chapter, she remains determined to stay in the political arena. During a recent event, she urged students to continue fighting for change, regardless of setbacks.
“The civil rights movement, women’s rights, workers’ rights—none of these happened overnight,” Harris said. “We have to stay in the fight, no matter the outcome of one election.”
Whether her future involves another presidential bid, a gubernatorial campaign, or a pivot to the private sector, Harris’s story is far from over. For now, she’s focusing on finishing her term with dignity while preparing for the next act in her public life.
