Skip to content

Potential Democratic Contenders Rumored for Presidential Bid in 2028

High-profile Democratic politicians, such as Gavin Newsom, Cory Booker, and others, have left the door open for a potential presidential bid in 2028. In various interviews and public appearances, they've been non-committal when questioned about their intentions, potentially hinting at possible...

Potential Democratic Leaders Yet to Exclude a 2028 Presidential Bid
Potential Democratic Leaders Yet to Exclude a 2028 Presidential Bid

Potential Democratic Contenders Rumored for Presidential Bid in 2028

Several Democratic politicians are rumored to be considering a run for the White House in 2028. Here's an overview of some notable figures:

Potential Candidates

  1. Kamala Harris
  2. Current Position: Former Vice President of the United States.
  3. Potential Candidacy: Harris has not ruled out a presidential run in 2028. Despite her recent announcement that she will not run for California governor, speculation about her future plans remains[2].
  4. Pete Buttigieg
  5. Current Position: Former Secretary of Transportation under President Joe Biden.
  6. Potential Candidacy: Buttigieg has hinted at considering a 2028 run, stating any decision is a long way off. He previously ran for president in 2020 and has maintained a national profile since then[2].
  7. Gavin Newsom
  8. Current Position: Governor of California.
  9. Potential Candidacy: Newsom is viewed as a potential contender for the 2028 election. His response to the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and recent policy initiatives have increased speculation about his candidacy[4].
  10. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
  11. Current Position: Representative of New York's 14th congressional district.
  12. Potential Candidacy: Ocasio-Cortez has gained traction in early polling for 2028, despite her reluctance to confirm a presidential run. Some have suggested she might consider a Senate primary instead[4].
  13. Jon Ossoff
  14. Current Position: U.S. Senator from Georgia.
  15. Potential Candidacy: Ossoff has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the presidency, though there is less speculation about him compared to other figures[4].
  16. Phil Murphy
  17. Current Position: Governor of New Jersey.
  18. Potential Candidacy: Murphy has been considered a potential presidential candidate by several news outlets, though there are no recent developments on his intentions[4].

Current Positions or Statements

  • Wes Moore: Governor Moore of Maryland has expressed skepticism about focusing on the 2028 race at this time, emphasizing the need to focus on the present[1].
  • General Sentiment: The Democratic Party is undergoing a shift, with a greater emphasis on elevating younger leaders in response to the perception that the party is outdated[1].
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Representative, has made noise about a possible presidential run in 2028, posting campaign-style social media content, but has not given a definitive answer when asked about it.
  • Cory Booker, New Jersey senator, stirred presidential speculation with a 25-hour filibuster speech in April, increasing his standing in some polls, and was positioned as "one of the leaders for the Democratic Party for 2028" by pollster Frank Luntz. He did not rule out a possible presidential campaign in April, stating he is focused on his reelection in '26.
  • Andy Beshear, Kentucky governor, has expressed interest in a potential presidential run in 2028, stating that he may "take a look" at launching a campaign.
  • Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania governor, has stated that he is not an expert in Washington politics, but lives in the "real world" of Pennsylvania.

Other Democrats who have been mentioned as potential candidates for the 2028 presidential race include former ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, California Representative Ro Khanna, businessman Mark Cuban, and ESPN sports commentator Stephen A. Smith.

Meanwhile, Mark Kelly, Arizona senator, was asked about a potential presidential run but did not give a definitive answer, stating he is just trying to do his job and get the word out to the American people. Jared Polis, Colorado governor, has not explicitly ruled out a presidential run, focusing instead on his role as governor of Colorado. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois governor, has been noncommittal about his future plans, but could potentially hold his current office and run for president. Gina Raimondo, President Joe Biden's commerce secretary and former governor of Rhode Island, has expressed interest in a run in 2028, stating she would do so if she thinks there's a big way for her to serve again. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota senator, expressed hope that the Democratic Party does not rule out a female candidate for the White House after the Harris loss, but stated she is currently focused on her job as senator. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan governor, has a term-limit expiring in 2026, but has expressed a desire to remain involved in shaping the direction of the country.

[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4]

  1. The ongoing shift in the Democratic Party includes a focus on elevating younger leaders, with some politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gaining traction in early polling for 2028.
  2. Kamala Harris, a potential candidate for the 2028 election, has not ruled out a presidential run, despite her recent decision not to run for California governor.
  3. The media has been speculating about former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg's potential candidacy for the 2028 race, though any decision is not imminent.
  4. The world of politics has been abuzz with rumors of a possible run for the White House in 2028 by current Governor of California, Gavin Newsom.
  5. Alongside politicians, business figures like Mark Cuban have been mentioned as potential candidates for the 2028 election, indicating a wider spectrum of interest among the electorate.
  6. The general news landscape is filled with updates on potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidency, such as moderator Andy Beshear and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
  7. Migration of political figures between offices is a topic of discussion, with Governor J.B. Pritzker potentially holding his current office and running for president.
  8. War-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and accidents continue to shape policy-and-legislation, with the steady stream of car-accidents and fires demanding attention from potential presidential candidates.

Read also:

    Latest