Kamala Harris' Odds of Becoming President Soar at Bookmaker
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The odds-on Kamala Harris becoming the next president have improved sharply from 50/1 (2 percent) to 25/1 (3.8 percent) among one bookmaker after the former vice president announced on Wednesday that she won't be running to be the next governor of California in 2026.
Newsweek contacted Harris for comment on Thursday via email outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom's term ends in January 2025, and he is term-limited. There had been much speculation about whether Harris, a former Senator from the state who lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, would run for the seat. picking up 226 Electoral College votes against 312 for her Republican rival.
The Democrats could have a wide-open primary in 2028 as the party has reexamined its leaders following the second loss to Trump. Newsom and Harris have both been mentioned as possible candidates, though the former vice president could face headwinds if she chose to run again after her 2024 defeat.
Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris pauses while speaking on stage as she concedes the 2024 election at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris pauses while speaking on stage as she concedes the 2024 election at Howard University on November 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C.What To Know
U.K. based bookmaker William Hill is currently offering odds of 25/1 (3.8 percent) on Harris becoming the next president of the United States, an improvement on the 50/1 (2 percent) it had before the former vice president announced she won't run for governor.
In a statement released on Wednesday Harris said she had "given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their governor" but "after deep reflection, I've decided that I will not run for Governor in this election."
The current William Hill favorite to win the 2028 presidential election is Vice President JD Vance, at 5/2 (28.6 percent).
This is followed by the current Trump at 8/1 (11.1 percent), though he is serving in his second term and most constitutional scholars say that he is prohibited from running for a third term. As of yet, the president has refused to rule another bid out, commenting in March that "there are methods [by] which you could do it."
In the William Hill odds the current vice president and president are followed by House Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom each at 9/1 (10 percent), former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, at 12/1 (7.7 percent) and Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at 14/1 (6.7 percent).
The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., and former Democratic Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel follow at 16/1 (5.9 percent) apiece, then Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Republican, and Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer with 20/1 each (4.8 percent).
In addition to Harris former first lady Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic President Barack Obama, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, each had odds of 25/1 (3.8 percent) on being elected in 2028.
What People Are Saying
Speaking to Newsweek William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: "With Kamala Harris effectively ruling herself out of the running to become the next Governor of California, we think she could have her eyes on the 2028 presidential election.
"Harris is currently our fourth worst result in our Next President market and after her latest career update, we've slashed her odds accordingly to 25/1 from 50/1.
"Harris isn't the only Democrat that has been popular in the market, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez consistently attracting support since the end of last year—when she was priced at 50/1—so much so that she is the worst result in our book and is now 9/1, third favorite behind JD Vance (5/2) and Donald Trump Sr (8/1)."
What Happens Next
Harris has not announced whether she will run in 2028 and such a declaration would be highly unusual this early in the campaign cycle. Democratic Party primaries are expected to begin in early 2028 ahead of the main contest in November.
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