Former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to make a significant public appearance this week in California, where she will deliver a keynote address at an annual assembly focused on empowering Democratic women elected officials. This event occurs just a day after President Donald Trump reaches the milestone of his first 100 days in office, making Harris’s timing particularly noteworthy. The event marks a decisive moment for the former vice president, who has been relatively low-profile since leaving office.
On Wednesday, Harris will be speaking at Emerge, a prominent organization dedicated to recruiting, training, and fostering a supportive community for Democratic women aspiring to run for political office. The organization has reported a surge of interest, claiming that nearly 1,000 women have reached out about pursuing careers in elected roles ever since Trump was re-elected. This newfound enthusiasm for political participation among women highlights the ongoing political landscape in the United States, where many are motivated to step into leadership positions.
A’shanti F. Gholar, the president and CEO of Emerge, has praised Harris’s legacy as a pioneer for women in politics, stating that “Vice President Harris is the original Emerge woman,” stressing her ongoing commitment to advocating for women seeking elected positions. The foundation of Emerge can be traced back to Harris’s own campaign for San Francisco District Attorney in the early 2000s when her advisers recognized the necessity for a program aimed at preparing women for political leadership. Today, Emerge boasts a network of approximately 1,200 alumnae serving in various government levels, marking a significant impact on female political representation.
At the organization’s 20th anniversary gala, additional influential speakers will include program alumnae such as Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is currently campaigning for the position of governor of Virginia, and Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow, who is also running for the Senate. These speeches reflect the collective push for greater female representation in politics, a cause Harris has consistently championed.
Earlier this month, Harris garnered attention for comments she made at the Leading Women Defined Summit, where she remarked on the challenges posed by a second Trump presidency and emphasized her efforts to forewarn the public about potential outcomes. “There were many things we knew would happen,” she said, adding with a lighthearted tone, “I’m not here to say I told you so.”
The keynote address at the gala in San Francisco is poised to be Harris’s most extensive public commentary since leaving office. While she is expected to honor Emerge’s significant contributions to empowering women in governance, she will also leverage the occasion to deliver sharp critiques of the Trump administration. Harris plans to articulate her concerns regarding what she deems reckless economic policies and the pressing issues facing American institutions. In previous gatherings, Harris has rallied women by asserting that “Courage is contagious,” a theme she is anticipated to amplify as she urges her audience to take proactive steps.
The backdrop of Harris’s upcoming address is her contemplation of her own political future. She is currently weighing options between competing for the governorship of California in the 2026 election or making a renewed bid for the presidency in 2028. According to CNN, discussions among numerous Harris advisers and prominent California Democratic figures suggest that attempting to undertake both paths might be unrealistic, as it would likely necessitate launching a presidential campaign shortly after taking the governorship.
In conclusion, Harris’s return to the public stage is not just a celebration of women’s empowerment but also a strategic move as she navigates her political aspirations. The upcoming address serves as both a reflection on her past and a potential stepping stone toward her future, as she aims to galvanize interest in political engagement among women while crafting her own narrative in the political arena. This dynamic interplay of personal ambition and public service underscores the evolving landscape of American politics. CNN reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere contributed to this insightful report, detailing the intricacies of Harris’s imminent public engagement.