Will Kamala Harris try to make a political comeback?
That question has swirled among California political insiders since the former Vice President and Oakland native’s crushing defeat to now-President Donald Trump in November. Harris has been silent about her political future amid speculation that she’ll run for governor of California in 2026 — early polls suggest she’d be a front-runner — or campaign for president again in 2028. In the meantime, she has rarely taken the public stage.
The prominent Democrat’s quietude will end Wednesday night when she makes her first major speech since the election.
Harris is slated to make the keynote address at a San Francisco hotel at the 20th anniversary gala of Emerge America, an influential political organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for local and national office. She is expected to slam Trump’s tenure as president during his first 100 days.
Harris’ remarks will be live-streamed on The Associated Press’ YouTube channel. The gala begins at 7 p.m. PDT.
Harris has close ties with Emerge America, which sprouted in part from her first successful campaign in 2002 for San Francisco district attorney. The group has helped elect 1,200 Emerge alums to office nationally, according to its website, including U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon of Oakland and a slew of other members of Congress.
Its 20th anniversary gathering is Harris’ chosen venue to start raising her public profile after the defeat. Her speech will be watched closely by Democratic party insiders who are also soul-searching the future direction of their beleaguered party.
Harris’ potential political opponents will also be scrutinizing her remarks. A slew of Democrats are already jostling for the party’s nomination to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026, and Harris’ possible entrance has cast a long shadow over the field.