Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate who lost to President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, is set to deliver a keynote address at a Louisiana Democratic fundraising event in August, according to a report by Shreveport, a USA Today affiliate, on June 9. This has sparked interest in Harris's potential plans for the 2028 presidential race.
The Louisiana Democratic Party is hosting a series of fundraising events under the theme "No More Silence, Let's Teach to Vote." The final event, which is expected to be the highlight of the tour, will take place in New Orleans on August 7, featuring Harris as the keynote speaker. Tickets for the event are priced at $200 (approximately 300,000 won). The Louisiana Democratic Party emphasized that it will be an incredible night with activists from across the state.
Louisiana is traditionally considered a stronghold for the Republican Party. The report noted that Trump has won all three presidential elections in Louisiana, and currently, all state government positions are held by Republicans. In the 2024 election, 60.2% of voters supported Trump, while Harris garnered only 38.2%. Axios highlighted that Harris visited New Orleans earlier this year for the inauguration of the city’s mayor and to promote her book.
Harris's public appearances have been limited since she delivered a keynote speech at a Democratic event in Little Rock, Arkansas, on April 25, marking her first major address since her election defeat. During that speech, she emphasized that public funds should be used for affordable housing, healthcare, and childcare, rather than overseas wars, according to the Arkansas Advocate.
Separately, Harris has been giving speeches across the U.S. and Canada since the release of her book, "107 Days," last September. She has also expressed her intentions regarding the next presidential election in an interview with the BBC. However, she has not officially declared her candidacy for the 2028 election.
ABC News reported on June 8 that Harris's former allies are seeking new candidates. The network interviewed 15 individuals, including donors, fundraising officials, campaign staff, and White House aides. Willie Brown, a prominent figure in California's Democratic Party and former mayor of San Francisco, identified California Governor Gavin Newsom as a leading candidate for the next presidential election, citing that Newsom is not someone who has recently lost an election. A source who worked on Harris's fundraising campaign stated, "Voters are very hungry for new, fresh, and young voices, and someone who can effectively present a forward-looking agenda, but I don’t think Kamala is that person at this moment."
In response, Tom Nides, a former Biden administration official, countered, "The average Democratic voter who donates $10 or $20 likes Kamala Harris. She has the ability to attract grassroots funding, which is crucial in local politics."
Axios analyzed Harris's upcoming trip to New Orleans as a move toward a potential 2028 presidential run, indicating her efforts to solidify her electoral base and secure support from Black voters. The media outlet noted that Black voters have become a strong group in recent Democratic primaries, and polls show Harris leading among this key demographic compared to other candidates.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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