Some 15 months after Kamala Harris' resounding defeat to Donald Trump for president, she remains top of mind for many Democrat voters. The Race to the White House polling average for 2028 still shows Harris leading among Democrats, with an average of 27.5 percent, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at a 22.7 percent average. After that, it is single digit averages for the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pete Buttigieg.
None of this looks very encouraging for Democrats' efforts to win back the White House in '28. "Those polls sound a little dated," says Dr. Bo Kabala, political science professor at Tarleton State University. "Although Kamala Harris probably does have institutional embeddedness that many of the other candidates don't have."
Basically, Harris has name recognition. But not much else, which is why many Dems and liberal media types are already pouring cold water on her future prospects. Kabala agrees with that, and believes Harris won't be leading Democratic polls much longer. "You've got AOC who brings that movement energy from the left," he tells KTRH. "In terms of wild cards, (Pennsylvania Governor) Josh Shapiro certainly has that executive experience and is seen as more moderate...then you've got Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan."
"But I think (California Governor) Gavin Newsom might prove hard to beat, as someone who's already survived a tough recall election and is seen as a little more pragmatic," says Kabala. "So I wouldn't be surprised if, in the coming months Gavin Newsom was near the top of the polls."
If Newsom were to take over the top spot, it becomes a wide-open race because of his political baggage. "He is no slam dunk," says Kabala. "There is a major California branding issue because of all the problems with that state."
Whoever ultimately ends up at the top of the field, it is not likely to be Harris. "The lecture and think tank circuit might be the best option for her," says Kabala. "Her campaign (in '24) was seen as underwhelming to many of the grassroots in the Democratic Party...so I would not see her in the top five in 2028."
Photo: Getty Images North America