Kamala Harris's husband, Democrat donors privately oppose another presidential run - report

Doug Emhoff reportedly opposes another Kamala Harris presidential campaign, while Democratic donors question her prospects as she weighs a 2028 bid.

Former US vice president Kamala Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, has privately expressed reservations about her running for president again in 2028, while several Democratic donors have warned her that another campaign would be a long shot, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the conversations.

Emhoff has told some people privately that he would prefer his wife not seek the White House for a third time, according to the report. However, he is expected to support Harris if she ultimately decides to enter the race, the WSJ reported.

Some major donors have also told Harris directly that another presidential bid would face significant obstacles, raising questions about the financial and political support she could attract after losing to US President Donald Trump in 2024.

Despite the reservations, Harris has continued taking steps that could position her for another national campaign. She has held discussions with major Democratic donors, hired staff and traveled to battleground states to campaign for Democratic candidates ahead of November's midterm elections.

Harris, who has not announced a decision about 2028, has publicly maintained that her immediate priority is helping Democrats regain control of Congress and win gubernatorial races.

Harris remains undecided about 2028 presidential campaign

Speaking at a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) event in Michigan in September, Harris told supporters that she remained undecided about another presidential campaign.

"I have not decided if I’m going to run again," Harris said, receiving a lengthy standing ovation from the audience.

"I do sincerely believe ’28 won’t matter if we don’t get through ’26."

The reported concerns come as Harris seeks to maintain her influence within the Democratic Party following her unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign, which began after then-president Joe Biden withdrew from the race.

Harris became the Democratic nominee with just 107 days remaining before the election, ultimately losing to Trump. She subsequently recounted the campaign in her memoir, 107 Days, in which she questioned Biden's decision to seek reelection.

According to the WSJ, some individuals who have worked with Harris or known her for years remain skeptical that she will ultimately launch another presidential campaign.

Democratic donors question Harris's political future

Nevertheless, Harris has remained politically active since leaving office.

In July 2025, she announced that she would not run for governor of California in the 2026 election, leaving open the possibility of another presidential campaign.

She subsequently indicated that she had not ruled out returning to national politics. During an October 2025 BBC interview, Harris signaled that her political career was not over.

"I am not done," she said at the time.

Her recent political activity has included outreach to different factions within the Democratic Party.

In July 2026, an Axios report described Harris's efforts to reconnect with progressive figures, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and pro-Palestinian activists, as she considered her future political options.

The outreach came amid broader discussions within the party about its direction ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Harris's potential return would follow two unsuccessful presidential campaigns. She first sought the Democratic nomination in the 2020 election cycle before withdrawing from the primary race, and later became the party's presidential nominee in 2024.

For now, she has continued to frame her political activities around the November 2026 midterms, in which Democrats hope to regain control of the House and Senate and secure additional governorships.

Her husband and some donors have privately expressed reservations, but Harris has not publicly said their concerns have changed her mind about a possible campaign.