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2028 Candidates Democrat

Early indicators and polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination show a shifting landscape, with potential candidates emerging from both traditional and progressive wings of the party. While former Vice President Kamala Harris was initially a frontrunner, recent polling suggests California Governor Gavin Newsom has overtaken her in popularity among Democratic voters. Potential leading Democratic candidates

• Gavin Newsom (California Governor): Newsom has built a national profile by positioning himself as a leading voice against the Republican administration and has actively campaigned in early primary states. Polls released in September 2025 by MassLive and Emerson College suggest he has taken the lead among potential Democratic contenders. His support is broad-based, spanning different age and racial groups.
• Kamala Harris (Former Vice President): Though her support appears to have softened since the 2024 election, Harris remains a prominent figure in discussions of the 2028 race. In August 2025, she announced she would not run for Governor of California, fueling speculation about a 2028 presidential bid. She still performs strongest among Black Democratic primary voters.
• Pete Buttigieg (Former Secretary of Transportation): Buttigieg, who previously ran in 2020, continues to be a factor in early polling. He has shown strong support in key states like New Hampshire, where he is tied with Newsom in one poll. He also recently headlined a town hall in Iowa, signaling continued interest in a national campaign.
• Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania Governor): As the governor of a swing state, Shapiro's name is frequently mentioned as a serious contender. An Emerson College poll in June 2025 showed him tied for fourth place among potential candidates.
• Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan Governor): Whitmer, another governor from a critical swing state, is considered a potential candidate. Her approach of sometimes working with the Republican administration may set her apart from other Democrats.
• J.B. Pritzker (Illinois Governor): Pritzker has not ruled out a 2028 run and has appeared on national news programs to discuss his political future. He was also on former Vice President Harris's shortlist for a running mate in 2024.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York Representative): The influential progressive figure continues to be included in polls, receiving 4% support in an August 2025 Emerson poll.

Other potential candidates: Other figures who are less frequently polled but still mentioned as possibilities include Wes Moore (Maryland Governor); Andy Beshear (Kentucky Governor) and Ro Khanna (California Representative).

How the current administration is perceived by Democrats will influence the direction they want their next nominee to take. The actions and influence of the Republican administration will likely shape the Democratic primary, with candidates defining themselves in contrast to his policies. The contrast between candidates like Newsom, who is positioning himself as an anti-Republican warrior, and Whitmer, who has been more willing to compromise, could be a key theme in the primary. Moves made in early primary states, such as Newsom and Khanna's visits to South Carolina and Buttigieg's trip to Iowa, are seen as significant indicators of future presidential ambitions.

Newsom adopted a high-profile, combative approach, often directly confronting Republicans and the Trump administration. He frequently uses his governorship of California as a platform to showcase progressive policies as a model for the nation. Buttigieg's pragmatic, evolving stance showed a willingness to adjust his political messaging to appeal to a broader base. In recent years, he has shifted away from a "restoration" narrative, acknowledging that the Democratic Party needs to change and not simply revert to pre-Trump policies. Buttigieg has also shown a willingness to engage with right-wing media to reach new audiences, a strategy that differs from Newsom's more confrontational approach.