Moderate Democrats Look Past Kamala Harris for 2028 Presidential Run

Party leaders suggest 'starting over' with a new candidate after Harris' failed 2024 campaign

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Moderate Democrats appear to be looking away from former Vice President Kamala Harris as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, according to a Politico column. Several party leaders, including South Carolina state senators and the mayor of Columbia, expressed reluctance to back Harris, who was the party's 2024 nominee, citing her unsuccessful campaign. Some suggested the party should 'start over' with a new candidate who can 'win'.

Why it matters

Harris' potential 2028 run is seen as a key test for the Democratic Party as it looks to rebound from the 2024 loss. The comments from moderate Democrats indicate a desire to move past Harris and find a new standard-bearer who can appeal to a broader range of voters and reclaim the White House.

The details

The Politico column cites multiple moderate Democrats, including South Carolina state senators Ed Sutton and Brad Hutto, who expressed skepticism about Harris running again in 2028. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said his 'preference would be somebody who can f---ing win,' while Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said 'the race is wide open' for a new candidate who can 'capture imagination, hearts and souls.' Third Way president Jon Cowan warned that a Harris run could split the party's vote and allow a progressive like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to consolidate the left wing.

  • Harris said in December that she hasn't decided whether she'll run in 2028.

The players

Kamala Harris

Former Vice President and the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential nominee, who is considering a run in 2028.

Ed Sutton

South Carolina state senator who expressed reluctance about Harris running again in 2028.

Brad Hutto

South Carolina state senator who said the party would be 'reluctant to pick somebody who didn't win last time.'

Justin Bibb

Cleveland mayor who said his 'preference would be somebody who can f---ing win.'

Steve Benjamin

First Black mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, and a former aide to President Joe Biden, who said 'the race is wide open' for a new 2028 candidate.

Jon Cowan

President and co-founder of the moderate Democratic think tank Third Way, who warned about the risks of a Harris 2028 run.

Lisa Owens Izzo

Activist who supported Biden's 2020 campaign and said 'I don't know if the country is ready for a female president, and she's so qualified.'

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What they’re saying

“We tried it, it didn't work, next person up.”

— Ed Sutton, South Carolina state senator (Politico)

“I think we're going to be reluctant to pick somebody who didn't win last time.”

— Brad Hutto, South Carolina state senator (Politico)

“My preference would be somebody who can f---ing win.”

— Justin Bibb, Cleveland mayor (Politico)

“The race is wide open. We're in a culture now where it's whiplash, so if someone else can capture imagination, hearts and souls, they have a shot.”

— Steve Benjamin, First Black mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, and former Biden aide (Politico)

“If I thought there was an 80 percent chance she was going to run, I would've said her name. I just don't see it right now.”

— Jon Cowan, President and co-founder of Third Way (Politico)

What’s next

Harris has not yet announced whether she will run for president in 2028. The Democratic Party will continue to evaluate potential candidates as the next election cycle approaches.

The takeaway

The comments from moderate Democrats suggest a desire within the party to move past Kamala Harris and find a new standard-bearer who can appeal to a broader range of voters and reclaim the White House in 2028. The party appears to be looking for a candidate who can 'win' after Harris' unsuccessful 2024 campaign.