Kamala Harris Reaches Out to Mamdani, Progressive Activists as Polls Show Her Leading 2028 Democratic Field
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has reportedly been reaching out to progressive leaders and activists as she works to strengthen support within the Democratic Party ahead of a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
Among those contacted was New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose allies and endorsed candidates scored major victories in New York Democratic primaries last week, highlighting the growing influence of the party’s progressive wing.
According to reports, Harris and Mamdani held a phone conversation focused on the future direction of the Democratic Party and ways to engage younger voters.
“The vice president reached out to have a conversation, and we’ve had a brief conversation,” Mamdani said during a SiriusXM interview. “We’ve been in touch over the last few months, and I really do appreciate her outreach.”
Sources familiar with the discussion said Harris congratulated Mamdani on the success of candidates he backed in New York races and discussed issues important to younger Democrats.
Harris has also reportedly held conversations with leaders connected to the Uncommitted Movement, which emerged during the 2024 election cycle in protest of the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Abbas Alawieh, a co-founder of the movement and a candidate for the Michigan State Senate, said he received multiple phone calls from Harris and later met with her in Detroit.
Alawieh said he urged Harris and Democratic leaders to oppose military actions that harm civilians and to pursue a more peace-oriented foreign policy approach.
Harris also reportedly spoke with longtime Palestinian activist and Democratic National Committee member James Zogby as part of her broader outreach efforts.
The outreach comes as Democratic voters continue debating the future direction of the party following the 2024 election and as progressive candidates have gained momentum in several major races.
Recent polling averages show Harris leading the potential 2028 Democratic presidential field with roughly 27 percent support among Democratic voters.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez trail Harris in most early polling.
Despite leading early surveys, Harris has not formally announced whether she intends to seek the Democratic nomination in 2028.
When asked about her future political plans earlier this year, Harris responded, “I might. I’m thinking about it. I’ll keep you posted.”