Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her first message to supporters three weeks after losing the presidential election to Donald Trump.
During a call with donors and volunteers Tuesday afternoon, Harris thanked her supporters for their work on her campaign despite coming up short in key battleground states in the race against Trump. She praised their work on an “unprecedented” campaign that saw volunteers knock on 19 million doors, make 215 million phone calls and raise more than $1.5 billion.
“The outcome of this election obviously is not what we wanted. It is not what we worked so hard for. But I am proud of the race we ran, and your role in this was critical. What we did in 107 days was unprecedented,” Harris said.
While she expressed gratitude to her supporters, Harris didn’t address critiques of her campaign from some Democrats that emerged following the election or weigh in on how the party should adjust moving forward. She spoke for just under 10 minutes.
Harris said she believes her campaigners’ work will have a “lasting effect,” noting that she received donations from four million first-time donors.
She acknowledged the feelings of many Democrats following the election but advised anyone feeling defeated by the results that there is still “a lot to fight for.”
“I know that this is an uncertain time,” Harris said. “I’m clear-eyed about that. I know you’re clear-eyed about it, and it feels heavy. I just have to remind you, don’t you ever let anybody take your power from you. You have the same power that you did before November 5, and you have the same purpose that you did. You have the same ability to engage and inspire, so don’t ever let anybody or any circumstances take your power from you.”
Harris’ defeat followed a turbulent campaign season for Democrats that left her in an unprecedented position. The vice president emerged as the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July amid growing concerns about his age and ability to mount a successful campaign against Trump.
Harris was left with just over three months to run a campaign. On the campaign trail, she emphasized issues like reproductive rights, her plans to support small businesses, and her support from anti-Trump Republicans.
But concerns over the economy and immigration, as well as progressive outrage over her approach to the Israel-Hamas war, proved to be too much for Harris to overcome. Trump rode a wave of discontent with the Biden administration to victory in each key swing state.
Democrats Grapple With Harris’ Loss
Democrats responded to the results with a mix of defiance and depletion, and party leaders are now sparring over the direction the party should take to win back working-class voters who have shifted toward Republicans in recent years.
This year’s elections saw Trump make sizable gains with Hispanic, Asian and younger voters, three groups that traditionally voted for Harris that Democrats will try to win back in the 2026 midterms.
Debates about whether Democrats should embrace more populist economic policies or move closer to the center are already taking place and will likely dominate the Democratic National Committee (DNC) race next year.
Meanwhile, Harris is facing questions about her legacy and future in the Democratic Party.
Polls suggest she could be in a position to perform well in a Democratic primary in 2028. Her supporters argue that her campaign prevented Trump from having a more resounding victory, pointing to polls that show that she rebounded in key states. However, others in her party believe it is time to move on to other candidates.
She has also been floated as a potential candidate in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race. Harris previously served as a California senator and attorney general.
Harris’ campaign spending has also sparked criticism among Democratic circles. Her campaign spent a billion dollars before Election Day but still failed to win over a majority of voters in battlegrounds.
Politico’s California bureau chief, Christopher Cadelago, reported that Harris’ campaign ended with $20 million in debt, though the campaign hasn’t independently verified or confirmed that figure.
Harris did not address the report during her remarks on Tuesday.
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