NEW YORK — Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee for president, on Friday offered some of her most detailed remarks to date about her future political ambitions, acknowledging that she was “thinking about” seeking the presidency in 2028.

“I might,” she told the Rev. Al Sharpton at a New York City gathering of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization he founded. “I served for four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States,” she said, adding, “I know what the job is, and I know what it requires.”

Harris’ loss to President Donald Trump in 2024 devastated Democrats, and many are now clamoring for a new generation of leadership. But inside a room full of Black leaders and activists, a beaming Harris — who was the first Black woman to win a major party’s nomination — received an often-raucous reception as she laced into Trump’s stewardship of the economy and international affairs.

Her appearance came as the 2028 presidential shadow primary ramped up, with more than a half-dozen potential Democratic candidates descending on midtown Manhattan for the convention.

Potential Dem Candidates Dodge Questions About 2028

There, a parade of prominent governors and lawmakers highlighted their connections to Black communities and coyly dodged questions about their presidential ambitions.

“I’m going to be more involved than ever before in 2028 because we can’t lose,” Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois allowed Thursday when Sharpton pressed him on his plans.

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020 but struggled to connect with Black voters, also took part in conversations with Sharpton.

Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona and Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey were scheduled to speak Saturday.

Not Clear Who Is Favored by Black Voters

For decades, Black voters have been perhaps the most significant constituency in contested Democratic presidential primaries, most recently propelling Joe Biden to the presidential nomination in 2020 with a decisive victory in South Carolina, his first after weak showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.

But it is not yet clear which potential 2028 candidate has the advantage with Black leaders, voters and activists nationally and in the traditional early-voting presidential primary states.

“I don’t think anyone clears the field in 2028,” said Clay Middleton, a Democratic National Committee member from South Carolina.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.

By Katie Glueck and Tim Balk/

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