Political commentator Ben Shapiro has said Vice President Kamala Harris will not contest the 2028 election after her defeat to former President Donald Trump in Tuesday's election.
On Wednesday, the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for president conceded the race, acknowledging that Trump had won and calling for her supporters to do the same.
Trump secured electoral victory after winning the swing states of Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. He later won Michigan and could sweep all seven battleground states—as he is leading in Arizona and Nevada, which have not yet been called.
Reacting to Harris' concession speech on the Daily Wire, Shapiro, who campaigned alongside Trump this election cycle, said the vice president was "a little more naturalistic" in her delivery and that she would not return to the political scene at the end of Trump's second term.
"For all the talk in the media about how she was 'brat' and joy and a wonderful candidate—Joy Reid said she ran a flawless, flawless campaign—and for all of that, ain't nobody talking about her running again in 2028. Weird," Shapiro said. "If she's that great a candidate, they should be talking about that. Nobody's talking about that."
"I think we can all bid a fond farewell to Kamala Harris from the public scene," he added. "We can bid a fond farewell to Tim Walz, who will be as memorable as Tim Kaine, meaning that in about six months' time you won't remember who he is."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was Harris' running mate, while Virginia Senator Tim Kaine was Hillary Clinton's running mate in the 2016 presidential election.
Newsweek contacted the Harris campaign for comment on the vice president's plans after leaving office.
Shapiro previously said he did not vote for either Trump or Clinton in the 2016 election, but he endorsed Trump in the 2020 race against Joe Biden.
With the incumbent president retiring at the end of his term and Trump ineligible to stand in the next presidential election, as the 22nd Amendment limits presidents to two terms, speculation has already begun as to who the 2028 election candidates may be.
Among the Democrats, bookies have highlighted Governors Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer and Wes Moore as possible favorites. They also cited Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has a proven track record of strong performances in Democratic primaries, as a contender.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who was one of the final candidates to be Harris' vice president, has also been floated, as his Midwestern appeal and popularity in a critical swing state could be vital in winning the Electoral College.
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