Potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders are hitting the campaign trail to support candidates across the country while gauging voter support should they make a bid for the nation’s highest office.
Several prominent Democrats have been floated as potential presidential hopefuls, including ones who have denied interest, such as Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA).
According to political experts, some Democrats interested in the presidency will likely announce their intention to run shortly after the midterm elections.
“There’ll be a bunch who launch post-election before the end of the year,” Democratic strategist Greg Berlin said. “It starts as a trickle, and then it’s a flood.”
This is because candidates will need to start building their war chests as soon as possible. “If you’re going to be successful, you’re looking at candidates that have to raise close to about $2 billion, which is like starting up a major corporation at this point,” John White, a professor of politics at Catholic University, said.
Midterm campaign trail sightings indicate which Democrats are contemplating a presidential bid. Here’s a summary of where some of the potential candidates have been traveling lately:
Former Vice President Kamala Harris
Since speculation for probable 2028 Democratic presidential candidates began, former Vice President Kamala Harris has appeared as almost a constant across multiple shortlists — especially after she declined to run for California governor.
In recent months, Harris has become more involved in the 2026 midterm season. She has backed Rep. Chris Pappas (NH) in his Senate run and is scheduled to campaign with Ossoff in Georgia.
After her visit to the Peach State, she will appear alongside the Democratic nominee for attorney general in Nevada. Harris will then return to her home state of California to support two House candidates.
Polling has shown that Harris would receive strong support in a Democratic primary if she chooses to run for president a third time. A recent Focaldata/Financial Times poll shows her with a comfortable lead over other potential Democratic candidates.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (CA)
Though California Gov. Gavin Newsom has not directly confirmed his interest in the office, he recently conceded he would “be lying” if he said he wasn’t considering a run.
He’s set an aggressive pace on the campaign trail since July, making stops in Nevada and several Southern states, including Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Out of all the “Deep South” states he toured, Newsom has spent the most time in South Carolina, the state that will hold the first 2028 presidential primary on the Democrats’ calendar.
He has taken three trips to South Carolina during this midterm season, where he’s attended private events and spoken at public gatherings to encourage South Carolinians to vote in the upcoming election. The state party said he’s raised over $300,000 for them.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY)
Though Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) has “not ruled out the possibility” of running, she’s also weighing making a bid for the Senate.
As she decides between running for the seat of Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) or president in the coming months, Ocasio-Cortez is shaking up her team. She’s brought back two previous staff members as campaign advisers amid departures in her orbit.
Like Newsom and Harris, she also went south to hit the campaign trail. This month, Ocasio-Cortez joined Florida Senate candidate Angie Nixon at a small event to boost her underdog campaign against Republican incumbent Ashley Moody.
She’s also made campaign stops in Pennsylvania and Michigan since the start of the summer. While speaking in support of Abdul El-Sayed in July, a former adviser to President Barack Obama noted her rhetoric seemed to echo his messaging from the 2008 campaign trail.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
For the past year, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has rallied with candidates across the United States.
Since the start of summer, he’s made trips to New Mexico, New York, and Pennsylvania to support a variety of Democratic candidates.
He also traveled in August to South Carolina, the state where he ended his 2020 campaign for president after a lackluster finish in its presidential primary election.
He will return to New York this month to offer his support to Cait Conley, a Democrat running against Rep. Mike Lawler in a swing district. He’s the highest-profile Democrat to attend a campaign event for Conley so far.
Like many potential presidential candidates, he’s focused his appearances on battleground districts. He’s also become a prolific endorser for races across the country.
Gov. Andy Beshear (KY)
Ahead of the midterm elections, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has made public campaign stops in at least seven states as he also focuses on his day job and leading the Democratic Governors Association.
But the governor made multiple trips to other states earlier this summer and his appearances fueled rumors about his possible presidential bid.
Beshear, a Democrat who leads the overwhelmingly red state of Kentucky, is one of the most popular Democratic governors in the country.
Since May, he has appeared at events for other Democrats in Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee, Minnesota, Iowa, South Carolina, and New York. He recently hinted at his interest in running for president in 2028, calling himself the “Democratic version of Donald Trump” in reference to what he characterized as his ability to bring people together.
Gov. JB Pritzker (IL)
Though Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has been positioned as a possible presidential candidate, he’s been largely focused on hanging on to his own seat as he runs for a third term as governor. That did not stop him from headlining an event held by Democrats to counter the GOP midterm convention in Dallas this month.
In the absence of a heavy presence on the national campaign trail, Pritzker launched a $20 million PAC to support Democratic candidates in battleground districts across the country. Pritzker’s Ready for the Fight PAC will target Republican representatives in Ohio and Texas with advertisements in races he believes can flip for Democrats.
Gov. Josh Shapiro (PA)
Like Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has focused on campaigning in his state as he fights to keep his position as governor.
Polls have shown that the moderate Democrat has a surprisingly comfortable lead on his Republican opponent in what is usually a toss-up state. As a result, Shapiro has focused on helping Democratic candidates wrest four congressional districts in Pennsylvania away from the GOP.
He’s also campaigned alongside state Democrats hoping to flip control of the Pennsylvania House and Senate from Republicans. In the past year, he’s contributed more than $3.3 million to down-ballot Democratic candidates in his state.
We’ll update you on more potential 2028 candidates, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Sens. Mark Kelly (AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (MI), as this election cycle continues.
(Photo: Former Vice President Kamala Harris, via Kamala Harris Facebook)