Doug Emhoff has privately told friends he does not want Kamala Harris to run for president again in 2028

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026 · last updated 11 October 2026.

Doug Emhoff, 61, has privately expressed to friends his preference that his wife Kamala Harris not mount another presidential campaign, the Wall Street Journal reports, though those in his circle expect he would support her should she decide to proceed. Harris has made no announcement about her intentions but has been building out her staff, visiting battleground states and holding meetings with major donors. Some of those donors have privately warned her that a 2028 campaign would be "a long shot."

Speaking at an event last month, Harris said: 'I have not decided if I'm going to run again — I do sincerely believe '28 won't matter if we don't get through '26.'

Gavin Newsom has said he will not run if Harris does, as both are from California — leaving the field potentially wide open for rivals including Pete Buttigieg and Josh Shapiro.

A number of Democrats, among them some of Harris's own allies, argue the party needs a new standard-bearer following her defeat to Trump, in which he swept all seven swing states in 2024.