Key facts
- Several Democratic governors, senators, and past candidates are taking early steps toward a potential 2028 presidential run.
- Governors Andy Beshear, Gavin Newsom, J.B. Pritzker, and Josh Shapiro are actively campaigning in early primary states.
- Former Vice President Kamala Harris and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg are also exploring bids.
- U.S. Senators Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego, Chris Murphy, Jon Ossoff, and Cory Booker are among those generating speculation.
- Progressive representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ro Khanna have not ruled out presidential ambitions.
- Rahm Emanuel is also considering a presidential run.
As the 2024 presidential election cycle winds down, potential Democratic contenders are beginning to lay the groundwork for a 2028 White House bid, signaling an open race to succeed Republican President Donald Trump. Governors, senators, and past candidates are making strategic moves, including traveling to early-voting states, courting donors, and releasing memoirs, all familiar steps in the path toward a presidential campaign.
Several Democratic governors are drawing early attention. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, now chair of the Democratic Governors Association, has visited South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Iowa, and has over $1.8 million in his political action committee. He has expressed comfort with being discussed as a potential 2028 candidate. California Governor Gavin Newsom has released a memoir and visited early states, with over $4 million in his PAC; he indicated he would seriously consider a run after the midterm elections. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has also traveled to early primary states and stated he will be "more involved than ever before in 2028." Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has about $38 million cash on hand for his gubernatorial reelection, said he will be part of the national conversation about the country's direction after the midterms. Other governors mentioned include Wes Moore of Maryland and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, though Whitmer has expressed a "never say never" stance.
Two Democrats with prior presidential runs are also exploring another bid. Pete Buttigieg, former Transportation Secretary and a 2020 candidate, has over $5 million in his PAC and has visited Iowa and New Hampshire. Kamala Harris, the former Vice President, has explicitly stated she is thinking about running again, noting her high name recognition and strong polling among Democratic voters in early surveys.
Several U.S. Senators are also fueling speculation, with Mark Kelly of Arizona drawing sustained scrutiny. Kelly has the largest cash stockpile among potential candidates, with over $22 million in his committee, and has visited early states without ruling out a 2028 run. Other senators mentioned include Ruben Gallego (Arizona), Chris Murphy (Connecticut), Jon Ossoff (Georgia), and Cory Booker (New Jersey).
Progressive figures are also making moves. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive, has not ruled out a presidential run, stating her ambition is to change the country. U.S. Representative Ro Khanna also indicated he will decide on a bid after the November midterms. Rahm Emanuel, former White House Chief of Staff and mayor of Chicago, is also considering a presidential run.