Kamala Harris, the former Vice President, contacted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last week and has been meeting with various progressive figures, including pro-Palestinian activists. This outreach is seen as part of her efforts to prepare for a potential presidential run in 2028 and to strengthen her ties with left-wing Democrats.
Harris's call to Mamdani occurred on a Thursday, with plans for a longer discussion about the future of the Democratic Party. This call followed Mamdani's success in recent congressional races in New York City, where his endorsed candidates won against incumbents.
In addition to Mamdani, Harris has been in contact with pro-Palestinian activists over the past year, including Abbas Alawieh, a co-founder of the Uncommitted Movement, which arose from opposition to President Biden's policies regarding Gaza. Alawieh indicated that Harris had requested their meeting after several months of discussions initiated by her team. During their conversation, he expressed concerns about U.S. funding related to civilian casualties in Gaza.
Harris has also reached out to other Democratic figures to discuss various issues, including China and artificial intelligence. Some progressive voices remain skeptical about her ability to regain the trust of Arab American and left-wing voters without significant policy changes. Patrick Gaspard, a Democratic strategist, noted that Harris has shown concern for Palestinian issues within the Biden administration.
Despite facing challenges, Harris is currently polling well among potential candidates for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, although doubts about her electability persist among party members.