Kamala Harris Holds Secret Meetings with Progressive and Pro-Palestinian Activists Ahead of 2028 Bid
Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has been engaging in private meetings with progressive Democrats and pro-Palestinian activists in recent months, a move seen as part of her preparation for a potential 2028 presidential run, according to Axios. Last week, Harris spoke with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his supported candidates won three congressional races, unseating two incumbents. They discussed the Democratic Party's future and planned further talks.
Harris has also met with prominent progressives including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Abbas Alawiya, a co-founder of the Uncommitted movement that opposes President Biden’s Gaza policy. Alawiya said Harris initiated their meeting after months of private conversations. He emphasized that American taxpayer money should not fund harm to civilians or community destruction, noting recent losses suffered by Palestinians in U.S.-backed Israeli strikes. Harris additionally spoke with James Zogby, a longtime Democratic National Committee member and advocate for Palestinian rights.
Beyond Middle East issues, Harris is consulting with Democratic leaders and former advisors on topics like China, artificial intelligence, and Venezuela to broaden her support base. Despite these outreach efforts, some progressive activists remain skeptical, recalling Harris’s perceived insufficient distancing from Biden’s pro-Israel stance during the 2024 campaign. In her 2025 book "107 Days," Harris revealed she privately urged Biden to show greater empathy for Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza, criticizing his public remarks as "inadequate and forced."
Pro-Palestinian strategist Rania Batris expressed doubt about Harris’s sincerity, stating that until proven otherwise, skepticism is justified. Early polls still position Harris as a leading contender in the 2028 Democratic primaries, though she faces criticism from progressives and doubts from party elites and donors about her general election viability.
