'I am not done.' Kamala Harris weighs in on another presidential bid

Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY

Updated Sat, October 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM UTC

1 min read

WASHINGTON - Former Vice President Kamala Harris still isn't ruling out another presidential run.

Before offering some of her strongest hints yet that she may be reconsidering a White House bid, the Democrats' 2024 White House nominee was asked in an interview this week whether the first woman president could be her – even after losing last year to President Donald Trump .

"Possibly," she told the BBC , adding, "I am not done. I have lived my entire career a life of service, and it's in my bones."

More: Gavin Newsom for president? California governor says he's considering running

Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black, and first Asian-American Vice President, began her political journey in California. Look back at her career, including here, where Harris delivers a keynote address during the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala at the Palace Hotel on April 30, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Harris delivered her first public speech since leaving office in January.

Vice President Kamala Harris, right, is pictured with Frances Wilson, left, and her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, center, in this undated file photo.

Vice President Kamala Harris, right, is pictured with Regina Shelton in this undated file photo.

San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris speaks to supporters before a No on K press conference in San Francisco, California, on Oct. 29, 2008. San Francisco ballot measure Proposition K seeks to stop enforcing laws against prostitution.

California Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown (R) talks with his wife Anne Gust-Brown (L) talk with San Francisco district Attorney and Democratic candidate for California attorney general Kamala Harris on the tarmac on Nov. 1, 2010, in Santa Monica, California. With one day to go until election day, Jerry Brown is wrapping up his three-day campaign trip throughout California in hopes of defeating his republican challenger and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman.

Kamala Harris, Attorney General of California, and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley presented the Rules Committee report at the Democratic National Convention on Sept 4, 2012.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris attends TheWrap's "Power of Leadership" brunch at Scarpetta on Dec. 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris speaks at a news conference on May 17, 2013, at the Los Angeles Civic Center in Los Angeles, California. Harris hosted a meeting of the state's district attorneys to develop recommendations on reducing gun violence.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris points to a map as she speaks during a news conference on Oct. 10, 2013, in San Francisco, California. Harris filed a lawsuit against the for-profit Corinthian Colleges and its subsidiaries for alleged false advertising, securities fraud, intentional misrepresentations to students, and the unlawful use of military insignias in advertisements. Santa Ana, California-based Corinthian Colleges operates 111 total campuses in North America, with 24 Heald, Everest, and WyoTech colleges in California that have an estimated 27,000 students.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris briefs the media after raids were conducted on money-laundering operations in the Fashion District of Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 2014. Police staged mass dawn raids in Los Angeles today dubbed "Operation Fashion Police," seizing $65 million in cash and funds allegedly linked to money laundering for Mexican drug cartels. Nine people were arrested as some 1,000 officers fanned out in the Fashion District in downtown LA, which one official called the "epicenter of narco-dollar money laundering."

California Attorney General Kamala Harris waves a rainbow flag while participating in the San Francisco Pride parade in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, June 26, 2016.

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) participates in a reenacted swearing-in with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 3, 2017, in Washington, DC. Earlier in the day, Biden swore in the newly elected and returning members on the Senate floor.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) arrives for a closed hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on June 29, 2017, in Washington, DC. Committee leaders said on Wednesday they had reached an agreement allowing them to see memos from former FBI Director James Comey about his meetings with President Donald Trump.

US Senator Kamala Harris, Democrat of California, questions witnesses on worldwide threats during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Feb. 13, 2018.

(L to R) Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) walks with Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) as they arrive for a closed-door meeting of the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 1, 2018, in Washington, DC. The Senate Intelligence Committee concluded that Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee were responsible for the leak of text messages between Sen. Warner and a Russian-connected lawyer.

During her confirmation hearing, Senator Kamala Harris, D-California, asks questions as Gina Haspel (not pictured) testifies in front of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. On March 13, 2018, President Donald Trump nominated Haspel as CIA Director, replacing Mike Pompeo, the current Secretary of State.

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) (3rd L) speaks as (L-R) Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), committee Vice Chairman Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Sen. Angus King (ID-ME) listen during a news conference at the Capitol March 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. The committee held a news conference to present findings and recommendations on threats from election infrastructure.

Senator Kamala Harris speaks at the Families Belong Together - Freedom For Immigrants March at Los Angeles City Hall on June 30, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) rides the Senate subway before a news conference about legislation she introduced to reunify immigrant families in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on July 17, 2018, in Washington, DC. The Democratic senators introduced the Reunite Act and said it is designed to make sure the United States government does not have the legal ability to separate immigrant children from their parents.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduces a bill to reunify immigrant families during a news conference with (L-R) Kids in Need of Defense President Wendy Young, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Democratic senators introduced the Reunite Act and said it is designed to make sure the United States government does not have the legal ability to separate immigrant children from their parents.

John Kerry and Kamala Harris share a moment as they arrive at the National Cathedral in Washington for a memorial service for John McCain on Sept. 1, 2018.

Sen. Kamala Harris speaks during the hearing for Supreme Court Associate Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Sept. 4, 2018, in Washington.

Senator Kamala Harris reacts as she departs the Senate Judiciary Committee room following last-minute maneuvering on the vote on Brett Kavanaugh for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court on Sept. 28, 2018, in Washington.

Democratic candidate for governor Tony Evers (left) holds a birthday cake for California Democrat Kamala Harris, a U.S. Senator and likely 2020 presidential candidate who turned 54 on Sunday. A campaign rally was held at the Democratic party's north side campaign headquarters at 1801 N. Martin Luther King Dr, in Milwaukee on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.

Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California speaks during a DMACC Early Vote rally on Oct. 22, 2018, in Ankeny, Iowa. She appeared with Congressional candidate Cindy Axne, State Senate candidate Amber Gustafson, and Iowa House candidate Heather Maston.

Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California hugs DMACC student Olivia Habinck before speaking at an Early Vote rally on Oct. 22, 2018, in Ankeny, Iowa. She appeared with Congressional candidate Cindy Axne, State Senate candidate Amber Gustafson, and Iowa House candidate Heather Maston.

Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California high-fives Jessica Mayland, 3, of Maxwell, after a DMACC Early Vote rally on Oct. 22, 2018, in Ankeny, Iowa. She appeared with Congressional candidate Cindy Axne, State Senate candidate Amber Gustafson, and Iowa House candidate Heather Maston.

Senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Kamala Harris, D-Ca., attend the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing of Attorney General nominee William Barr on Jan. 15, 2019, in Washington, DC.

Presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at The Union in Carson City on April 2, 2019.

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks during a town hall event on April 10, 2019, at the Iowa Memorial Union main lounge in Iowa City, Iowa.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-CA, orders an iced coffee from Mars Cafe while making a campaign stop on April 11, 2019, in Des Moines' Drake neighborhood.

Sen. Kamala Harris met with McDonald's employees on strike in Las Vegas on June 14, 2019. The employees are demanding a higher minimum wage and better working conditions.

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., shakes hands with people in shirts showing support for her as Harris arrives at the West Des Moines Democrats summer picnic on July 3, 2019, at Legion Park in West Des Moines.

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Kamala Harris of California speaks on the second night of the Democratic presidential debates at the Fox Theatre in Detroit on July 31, 2019.

2020 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding at the Surf Ballroom on Aug. 9, 2019, in Clear Lake.

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., meets with the Des Moines Register editorial board on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, at the Register's office in downtown Des Moines.

Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. takes questions as she begins preparing a Thanksgiving meal at a home in Des Moines on Nov. 27, 2019.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a visit by US President Joe Biden to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, Feb. 10, 2021.

(L-R) US Vice President Kamala Harris and US First Lady Jill Biden listen as US President Joe Biden delivers an address at the 153rd National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day in Arlington, Virginia, on May 31, 2021.

US Vice President Kamala Harris gives diplomas to US Naval Academy graduates during their commencement ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland, on May 28, 2021.

US Vice President Kamala Harris faces Guatemalan Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo upon arrival in Guatemala City on June 6, 2021. - US Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Guatemala and Mexico this week, bringing a message of hope to a region hammered by Covid-19 and which is the source of most of the undocumented migrants seeking entry to the US.

US Vice President Kamala Harris (R) tours the El Paso Border Patrol Station, on June 25, 2021 in El Paso, Texas.

New US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) is sworn is as 49th US Vice President as her husband US Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff (R) holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

Vice President Kamala Harris (R) swears in U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on March 18, 2021, at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building Ceremonial Office in Washington, DC.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris watches as Dr. Linval Matthews administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Brenda Thompson during a visit to the pharmacy of a Giant Foods grocery store on Febr. 25, 2021, in Washington, DC. Over 50 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in the United States.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, join marchers for the Capital Pride Parade on June 12, 2021, in Washington, DC. Capital Pride returned to Washington DC after being canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

(L-R) Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris walk out of the White House for an event celebrating Jackson's confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court on the South Lawn on April 8, 2022, in Washington, DC. Judge Jackson was confirmed by the Senate 53-47 and is set to become the first Black woman to sit on the highest court.

Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, sit during a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II at Washington National Cathedral on Sept. 21, 2022.

US Vice President Kamala Harris signs the condolence book at the British Embassy in Washington to pay her respects following the death of British Queen Elizabeth II in Washington, DC, on Sept. 9, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognizable to billions of people worldwide, died at her Scottish Highland retreat on Sept. 8, 2022, at 96.

US Vice President Kamala Harris holds binoculars at the military observation post as she visits the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea in Panmunjom on Sept. 29, 2022.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Ceremony on Nov. 11, 2022, in Arlington, Virginia. Harris visited Arlington National Cemetery to deliver remarks at the National Veterans Day Observance ceremony. In her remarks, Harris noted that this is the first Veteran's Day since U.S. President Joe Biden passed the PACT Act, which expands health care for service members who were exposed to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan or other chemical irritants used in previous conflicts.

US Vice President Kamala Harris waves while boarding Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Sept. 25, 2022, as she departs for travel to Japan and South Korea.

US Vice President Kamala Harris takes part in a meeting with allies following North Korea's recent ballistic missile launch during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok on Nov. 18, 2022.

President Joe Biden speaks as Vice President Kamala Harris cheers for him during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House to sign the Respect for Marriage Act on Dec. 13, 2022.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the US Congress as US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) applaud at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Dec. 21, 2022.

US Vice President Kamala Harris works aboard Air Force Two while on a call en route from Houston, Texas, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Oct. 26, 2024.

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two at William P. Hobby Airport on Oct. 26, 2024, en route to campaign events in Michigan.

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Oct. 26, 2024.

Democratic Presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a campaign speech at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.

Vice President Kamala Harris is shown at a campaign event Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris reacts to the crowd during a campaign rally in Atlanta on Nov. 2, 2024.

Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris smiles during a campaign rally at Michigan State University's Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Mich, on Nov. 3, 2024.

Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak on stage as she concedes the election, at Howard University on November 06, 2024 in Washington, DC. After a contentious campaign focused on key battleground states, the Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump was projected to secure the majority of electoral votes, giving him a second term as U.S. President. Republicans also secured control of the Senate for the first time in four years.

Democratic presidential nominee U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks, conceding 2024 U.S. presidential election to President-elect Donald Trump, at Howard University in Washington, U.S., November 6, 2024.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) preside over a joint session of Congress to ratify the 2024 Presidential election at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Congress held a joint session to ratify President-elect Donald Trump's Electoral College win over Vice President Kamala Harris, four years after a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol to halt the certification of the 2020 election results.

President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrive prior to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump at the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States.

(L-R) Chloe Bailey, Former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Halle Bailey pose in the Trophy Lounge for the 56th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the State of the People POWER Tour opening ceremony on June 6, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The ten city State of the People POWER Tour is a national campaign aimed at "uniting Black communities through healing, direct relief, and power building."

Former Vice President Kamala Harris: See her political career in photos

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Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black, and first Asian-American Vice President, began her political journey in California. Look back at her career, including here, where Harris delivers a keynote address during the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala at the Palace Hotel on April 30, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Harris delivered her first public speech since leaving office in January.

The 61-year old who made history as the country's first female, Black and Asian-American vice president hedged her suggestion with a few caveats, though, stressing that she has not yet decided what her own political future holds.

"There are many ways to serve," she said.

Harris considered a run for governor in her home state of California in 2026. But she closed that door – and left another one open for the 2028 presidential contest – in July. Her decision not to enter the gubernatorial campaign effectively kickstarted the potentially crowded Democratic primary to succeed Trump in three years.

Yet after a bruising loss last year, the former vice president would have an uphill battle ahead of her to regain support within her party and among voters across the country. A POLITICO poll conducted over the summer showed California Democrats would slightly prefer Gavin Newsom, their current governor, over Harris in a presidential contest.

"There are all kinds of polls that will tell you a variety of things," Harris told the BBC. "I've never listened to polls."

Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris says first woman president could still be her

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