Kamala Harris Launches 5-State Democratic Campaign Push Ahead of Midterms/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Kamala Harris is campaigning for Democrats across five states as the party seeks to regain congressional power in the Nov. 3 midterms. Her return highlights her strong support among Democrats while renewing questions about a possible third presidential campaign in 2028. Harris says she remains undecided about running again and insists the immediate priority is winning in 2026.
Quick Look
- Five-state push: Harris is campaigning in Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.
- Nevada opening: She began the tour Tuesday in Las Vegas with gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford.
- Mississippi stop: Harris rallied for Senate challenger Scott Colom, who faces Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith.
- Democratic support: A June Reuters/Ipsos poll found 82% of Democrats viewed Harris favorably.
- Broader challenge: Her favorability stood at 39% among Americans overall and 33% among independents.
- 2028 undecided: Harris has not announced whether she will seek the presidency again.
- Closing message: She argues that Democrats must prioritize the midterms before considering the next presidential race.
Deep Look
Harris Reenters Campaign Trail for Competitive Midterm Races
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is returning to the campaign trail to support Democrats in closely contested elections, bringing her back before voters as speculation continues about her political future.
Harris is campaigning in Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire and Wisconsin as Democrats seek to break Republican control of Congress on Nov. 3.
The party’s 2024 presidential nominee has made relatively few public appearances this year. Her expanded schedule places her alongside candidates seeking to mobilize supporters during the campaign’s final stretch.
It also raises fresh questions about whether she will pursue a third presidential bid in 2028.
Las Vegas Speech Targets Trump Administration
Harris opened her tour Tuesday in Las Vegas, addressing Culinary Workers Union members alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford.
Ford, Nevada’s first Black attorney general, would become the “first Black governor west of the Mississippi,” Harris told the audience.
Her speech combined criticism of President Donald Trump with messages about ambition and political participation.
“We got a serious fight in front of us,” Harris said. “We are witnessing pure brutality come out of what is undoubtedly the most corrupt, callous and incompetent presidential administration.”
Those remarks reflected her campaign assessment of the administration.
Strong Democratic Support Makes Harris a Turnout Asset
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in June found that 39% of Americans viewed Harris favorably.
Her standing varied sharply by party: 82% of Democrats, 7% of Republicans and 33% of independents held favorable views.
Those figures suggest a particularly strong connection with the Democratic voters campaigns are trying to mobilize.
“At the end of a campaign, you bring out your heavy hitters,” said Elaine Kamarck, a Brookings Institution senior fellow and Democratic National Committee member. “That’s what’s going on here with her, and frankly with Trump.”
Trump is also traveling extensively to support Republican candidates.
Mississippi Rally Supports Scott Colom’s Senate Bid
On Wednesday, Harris campaigned in Columbus, Mississippi, for Democrat Scott Colom.
Colom is challenging Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in a race polls suggest is unusually competitive. He is seeking to become the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Mississippi since 1982.
Harris led supporters in chants of “Mississippi matters!” and offered advice she said she shares with young people.
“Never let someone else’s limited ability to see your capacity be a limitation on your ambition,” she said.
“Let me repeat that.”
She delivered the message again, more loudly, drawing cheers.
Another Presidential Campaign Would Bring Familiar Questions
Harris would enter a potential 2028 Democratic primary as one of its most recognizable figures.
But another campaign would also revive scrutiny of her previous attempts.
Her first presidential bid ended before the 2020 Democratic nominating contests began. She later became vice president and lost the 2024 election to Trump.
A new candidacy would bring renewed examination of the circumstances surrounding Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race and Harris’ elevation to the nomination.
Harris Has Sharpened Criticism of Biden’s Decisions
In her memoir, “107 Days,” Harris described Biden’s decision to seek reelection as “reckless.”
The title refers to the abbreviated presidential campaign she inherited after he withdrew amid concerns about his health and mental acuity.
This month, she also criticized his administration’s response to Israel’s war in Gaza, describing the Israeli government’s “horrific conduct” and saying Washington should have “acted sooner and more forcefully.”
Kamarck said a presidential run would reopen questions about Harris’ role during Biden’s final campaign.
“All these things will be relitigated,” she said. “What happened to Biden? Did she know? Did she think he was losing it? And on and on and on.”
Strategist Sees Potential Appeal to Disillusioned Voters
Democratic strategist Scott Ferson, author of “How the Democrats Lost America,” said the party has often moved quickly past unsuccessful nominees.
However, he suggested dissatisfaction with Trump could lead some voters to reassess Harris.
“She has that kind of crossover appeal,” Ferson said, “particularly with people who left in 2024 or stayed home.”
He characterized her implicit question to those voters as: “Do you regret staying home?”
That remains a strategic assessment rather than evidence that those voters have shifted their support.
Harris Says Midterms Come Before 2028
During an appearance this month on the “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” video podcast, Harris was asked whether she would seek the presidency again.
“Oh, girl, come on!” she replied, laughing and holding Palmer’s hands. “I haven’t decided yet.”
She quickly redirected the discussion to the current election.
“But the midterms, the midterms, the midterms,” Harris said. “2028 don’t matter if we don’t do 2026 right.”
Here is Harris’s five-state schedulewith confirmed times shown in Eastern Time:
| State | Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | Wednesday, Oct. 21 — completed | Las Vegas campaigning with Aaron Ford and meeting Culinary Workers Union members | Not confirmed |
| Mississippi | Thursday, Oct. 22 — completed | Campaign appearances supporting Senate candidate Scott Colomincluding Columbus | Not confirmed |
| New Hampshire | Today, Saturday, Oct. 24 | Campaigning with Senate nominee Chris Pappasincluding a reproductive-rights discussion | Not confirmed |
| Wisconsin | Monday, Oct. 26 | Women for Crowley event with gubernatorial nominee David Crowley in Milwaukee | 5:30–7 p.m. Eastern |
| Georgia | Wednesday–Friday, Oct. 28–30 | Campaigning with Jon Ossoffvoter-protection events and an Oct. 30 Fulton County Democratic dinner in the Atlanta area | Not confirmed |
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