Kamala Harris returned to the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans on Tuesday, igniting both the second phase of her book tour and fresh speculation about her presidential ambitions. The former vice president’s appearance marked her second day in a row on the Saenger stage after administering Helena Moreno’s oath of office as New Orleans’ 63rd mayor on Monday.
Harris, whose political presence has long carried the cadence of a campaign-in-waiting, delivered remarks that blended celebration, civic encouragement, and a not-so-subtle reminder that she remains a force in national politics. “The future of America is being built in cities like this and in leaders who honor the past, meet the present moment and invest in the future, by leaders who believe the power belongs with the people,” she said during Monday’s ceremony. She praised Moreno as someone who “will lead with integrity, with courage and with the people of New Orleans always at the center of your work.”
Her return to the theater less than 24 hours later made clear that the Harris operation is shifting gears. While many Democratic donors and strategists worry she may struggle in a general election, Harris continues to hold a commanding position in early polling for the 2028 Democratic primary. She maintains especially strong support among Black voters, a pivotal coalition in recent primary cycles and a bloc that has anchored her political survival.
After keeping a deliberately low profile through early 2025, Harris began stepping back into the national frame with her book, 107 Days. The memoir’s first tour stops doubled as a subtle re-entry into primary-state politics. Late December brought a flurry of activity that many Democrats read as the first real signs of a 2028 campaign taking shape.
Her expanded tour itinerary reinforces that impression. In addition to New Orleans, the tour includes South Carolina, Detroit, Jackson, Memphis, and Montgomery — all cities where Black voters shape the political landscape. Harris also made rounds at the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting, mingling with party chairs and national officials who could prove crucial if she officially enters the race.
For now, it’s a book tour. But in New Orleans, the stage lights looked unmistakably campaign-ready.
