Which politician will secure the leadership role for the Democratic Party in the year 2028?
The political landscape is buzzing with speculation as several prominent Democrats prepare for a potential run in the 2028 U.S. presidential election.
Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona is fueling the fire of speculation, making high-profile stops in key battleground states and gaining national attention as an emerging leader in the Democratic Party. His charisma and strategic moves have led many to consider him a strong contender.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the U.S. Representative from New York, is also emerging as a top contender. A March CNN poll revealed that 10% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents believe she best embodies the party's values. However, she remains hesitant about running.
The Democratic Party's favorability has taken a hit, with a record low 29% of Americans holding a positive view and 54% seeing them unfavorably, according to a March CNN poll. Despite this, several politicians are pushing forward with their plans.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker hasn't officially declared his candidacy, but his recent moves, such as a record-breaking 25-hour, 5-minute Senate floor speech, keep the speculation alive.
New York Rep. Tom Suozzi has voiced concerns about the lack of clarity on what Democrats stand for, stating that "people are kind of scratching their heads a little bit".
In the polls, Vice President Kamala Harris leads as the preferred presidential candidate among Democratic voters, with 37% supporting her, according to a February SurveyUSA poll. However, she has announced that she will not run for California governor in 2026, which some see as keeping the door open for a possible 2028 presidential bid.
Wes Moore, the Maryland Governor, has said he's "not running" for president, but his high-profile appearances in key primary states have kept speculation about a future run alive.
Roy Cooper, the former North Carolina Governor, is still seen as a potential player in the 2028 presidential race, having made a move to run for Senate in North Carolina.
Andy Beshear, the Kentucky Governor, has expressed openness to a presidential run if he believes he can bring the country together, and gained national attention after winning the governorship in a deep-red state.
J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Governor, is laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential bid, delivering high-profile speeches and raising money.
Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, has ruled out a run for Michigan's open Senate seat next year, keeping speculation alive about a possible 2028 White House bid.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has addressed the possibility of running for president in 2028, stating that he would consider it if the circumstances are right and he has the necessary skill set.
Raphael Warnock, the Georgia Senator, is increasingly seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender due to his two Senate victories in a battleground state and his status as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Among the governors, Gavin Newsom from California is widely noted as a prominent contender. His chances have risen notably in 2025 due to his handling of political events and increasing national profile.
Other politicians being discussed as possible candidates include Rep. Ro Khanna from California, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota, Bernie Sanders from Vermont, Jon Ossoff from Georgia, and Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona are also being considered.
Many of these figures are already building campaign infrastructure, visiting early primary states, and fundraising ahead of any official announcements. The stage is set for an exciting and diverse race in the coming years.
[1] CNN Poll [2] SurveyUSA Poll [3] Various News Sources
- The speculation about the 2028 U.S. presidential election is intensifying, with several prominent Democrats like Senator Ruben Gallego and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez emerging as potential candidates.
- A recent CNN poll shows that the Democratic Party's favorability is at a record low, but this hasn't deterred several politicians, such as Cory Booker and Tom Suozzi, from pushing forward with their plans.
- Despite not officially declaring his candidacy, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker's high-profile moves keep the speculation about a potential run alive.
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has expressed openness to running for president in 2028, contingent upon the right circumstances and his possession of the necessary skill set.
- In the media, Vice President Kamala Harris is currently leading as the preferred presidential candidate among Democratic voters, while figures like Gavin Newsom from California and Raphael Warnock from Georgia are also being closely watched.
- Beyond just politicians, figures from various fields like business, education, and general news are being discussed as potential candidates, underscoring the broad scope of political discourse in the upcoming years. [1] CNN Poll, [2] SurveyUSA Poll, [3] Various News Sources
