‘I Am Thinking About It’: Kamala Harris, Democratic Hopefuls Eye 2028 at Sharpton Conference

A parade of potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates descended on New York City this week for the National Action Network’s annual convention, a four-day gathering of civil rights leaders and activists where the speakers discussed the cost of living and what lies ahead for their political careers.

The annual event held by the National Action Network, the civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton, draws thousands of activists, faith leaders, and elected officials from across the country.

In presidential election cycles, it has served as an early proving ground where Democratic candidates have historically sought to build relationships with the organization’s largely black membership and audience.

At least nine prominent Democrats—including former Vice President Kamala Harris, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Rep. Ro Khanna of California—were all on the packed schedule at the convention. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic elected officials also addressed the gathering.

The convention is a natural stop for any serious Democratic presidential contender, Avis Jones-DeWeever, a political scientist and principal of Nouveaux Strategies, a progressive strategic communications firm, told The Epoch Times in an email.

“Black voters have a significant, if not decisive sway when it comes to Democratic presidential primaries,” she said. “As a voting bloc, they are overwhelmingly clustered in key states that have the power to be the king or queen makers come the finale of the presidential primary season.”

Jones-DeWeever pointed to the 2020 primary, when Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) performed well in early, predominantly white states before Joe Biden dominated South Carolina on the strength of black voter support and went on to win the nomination and eventually the presidency.

“Making a good impression with Black voters isn’t a nice thing to do, it’s a must for any potential presidential candidate who is serious about winning the Democratic nomination,” she said.

On April 10, Harris, the last Democratic presidential nominee, came the closest to addressing her 2028 intentions head-on. The crowd interrupted her conversation with Sharpton for about a minute, chanting, “Run again.” When the room settled down, Sharpton asked her directly whether she would seek the presidency again.

“I might. I am thinking about it,” Harris said.

It was her most direct public statement about her political future since losing the 2024 presidential election to President Donald Trump. Harris became the Democratic nominee after Biden withdrew from the race in July 2024, weeks before the Democratic National Convention.

She stopped short of a full commitment, framing her deliberation around what would best serve the country.

“I spent four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States,” Harris said.

“I know what the job is, and I know what it requires.”

Any candidate needs to put the American people ahead of personal ambition, she said.

“The status quo is not working and hasn’t been working for a lot of people for a long time,” she said.

“I’ll keep you posted.”

Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020 and served as transportation secretary under Biden, said Democrats need to resist the urge to simply promise a return to the way things were before the current administration.

“If our economic and our political and our social systems were serving us well, we wouldn’t be here,” Buttigieg said. “All of that is what led to all of this.”

Democrats need to offer a tangible vision for everyday life, he said.

“What we really need to make clear is what we would be doing instead—that it doesn’t have to be this way—and your everyday life could be better,” he said.

When Sharpton referenced a well-publicized lunch the two shared at Sylvia’s restaurant in Harlem during Buttigieg’s 2020 campaign and asked whether he should “reserve a table” ahead of the 2028 campaign, Buttigieg said, “You save me a seat, I’ll be there.”

Moore received multiple standing ovations during his April 9 appearance. When Sharpton asked about 2028, attendees responded with a round of applause.

“I’m hungry, but I’m not thirsty,” Moore said.

He urged other Democrats eyeing 2028 to prove themselves in this year’s midterm elections first.

“I need to see that you’re taking 2026 seriously,” he said. “I don’t want to hear woulda, coulda, shoulda.”

Shapiro said the party needs “a real debate” about what it stands for beyond opposing the current administration.

“What I can tell you for sure is I want to be part of that debate,” he said.

Gallego offered one of the most specific prescriptions for what a 2028 Democratic candidate should sound like.

“I want to buy something, I want to build something, I want to own something, I want to feel like somebody is fighting for me,” Gallego said, describing what working-class Latino voters told him during the 2024 campaign. “I think if we do those four things, then we get the victory.”

When Sharpton pressed him on a presidential bid, Gallego said he was “focused on 2026 first.”

“That means you haven’t ruled it out?” Sharpton asked.

Gallego said he would return after 2026 “to answer any more questions.”

Pritzker, who is currently running for a third term as governor, called for raising the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009.

Asked about 2028, he said, “I can tell you this, I’m going to fight like hell to elect a Democrat.”

Khanna focused on closing wealth gaps through technology and artificial intelligence and called for expanded partnerships with historically black colleges and universities. When Sharpton pressed him on a presidential bid, Khanna said his first priority was to help Democrats win the House majority in November but added that he believes he has “something to offer” to the national conversation.

Jones-DeWeever said the candidates would be wise to articulate a specific economic vision.

“If they’re smart, those addressing this gathering would not only focus on the destruction brought on by the current administration,” she said.

The candidates should also “display an understanding of how this community specifically has been” affected by the current administration “and what they would do differently, to provide a path to prosperity for black Americans.”

The convention runs through Saturday, and Beshear and Kelly are still scheduled to appear.