# Frontrunners for Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 16, 2025, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036 "2025-01-16T06:50:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/21 "2025-01-16T20:05:51Z")
I haz a sad that I agree with everything you say, including the negative parts. I heard Buttigieg on the 99% Invisible dissection of _The Power Broker_ and was again astonished at how articulate, smart, and sane he is. Of course, we’ve proven that the majority of the country doesn’t consider any of those to be positives, so WTF do I know… ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/22 "2025-01-16T20:07:28Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > You have some reason to think she’s an anti-semite? I want to say, “Yep, and here is a cite” but I’m having trouble finding a reputable one. Perhaps I’m confused. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/23 "2025-01-16T20:07:44Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Does AOC have any chance at the nomination as the Young Progressive? My hope for her is that she runs for Schumer’s seat in 2028. Whether he retires or not. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/24 "2025-01-16T20:09:56Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > My hope for her is that she runs for Schumer’s seat in 2028. Whether he retires or not. Maybe he’ll have a Most Interesting Man in the World moment and lose the election just to see what it feels like. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/25 "2025-01-16T20:11:57Z")
Other members of “the squad” (Tlaib and Omar specifically) have said things that you can willfully (mis)interpret as anti-semitic, but I don’t think AOC has. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/26 "2025-01-16T20:22:34Z")
I think we’re entering a new phase of presidential politics where previous electoral success and building your resume in the Senate/governors mansions doesn’t matter much anymore. It’s going to be who can sell themselves best, stir emotions in the electorate and show they “get it.” For better or worse, a media rockstar. I don’t know that that person has necessarily revealed themselves yet. And dropping names of individuals would likely elicit a chorus of people saying, “Gimme a break! We don’t need somebody like that in the White House!” Anyway, it could be someone like Mark Cuban, someone like uaw president Sean Fain, a talking head, military leader, or…I just don’t know. I do think the running mate will be a more traditional, albeit charismatic, politician, like AOC or Warnock. I just don’t think the Petes and Gretchens and Kamalas are going to stir up the electorate in a world where Democrats are going to find themselves behind the electoral college eight ball. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/27 "2025-01-16T20:33:37Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I think we’re entering a new phase of presidential politics I’m worried that we are moving backwards where old white guy Jack Johnson runs against old white guy John Jackson every election. Considering how many people didn’t vote for Kamala because she was a Black woman (double whammy) with her being the most Presidential candidate since 2012 I feel our politics is devolving. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/28 "2025-01-16T20:44:08Z")
I hesitate to derail thread. Sometimes the DNC chair has a little influence on the choice of candidate. The candidates for even just that position are actually gearing up for that right now. I think the ones listed on the DNC site are pretty unifying. I saw three of the main candidates on c-span but can’t remember their names. Maybe that means they have little pull actually. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/29 "2025-01-16T20:52:06Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > it could be someone like Mark Cuban This right here, if he wants to run. He’s a bona fide _successful_ businessman and has a ton of name and face recognition. And he’s articulate. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/30 "2025-01-16T20:54:25Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I’m worried that we are moving backwards where old white guy Jack Johnson runs against old white guy John Jackson every election. Considering how many people didn’t vote for Kamala because she was a Black woman (double whammy) with her being the most Presidential candidate since 2012 I feel our politics is devolving. I think Republicans have figured out that it doesn’t matter what you’ve accomplished (or haven’t), what you say (or what bullshit you spew), or if you have facts and truth on your side. It only matters how the top candidate makes the electorate feel. People ignored actual facts in 2024 in favor of feelings. Kamala/Biden/Democrats didn’t make them feel good. I don’t think it’s gonna be old white guy vs. old white guy unless one of those old white guys has the ability to create media buzz like Trump does. It’s gonna be big personality vs big personality. I think there’s a shift similar to when television became a factor in 1960. The shift now involves being able to go viral and create a buzz on the Internet and podcast circuit. Traditional media is out and as a result I think traditional politicians as presidential candidates are too. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/31 "2025-01-16T20:55:00Z")
I think Ruben Gallego should be a front-runner. Probably — the front-runner. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Baggins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/87869e/32.png) [@Mr.Baggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Baggins)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/32 "2025-01-16T21:13:36Z")
> Blockquote > I guess I should have lower expectations so that I’m never disappointed, but even after all we’ve been through I think more highly of voters than that. You people just elected Donald Fucking Trump for the second time. I don’t think it’s possible to underestimate your voters. ---
**Author:** ![YellowDog51](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a5b964/32.png) [@YellowDog51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YellowDog51)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/33 "2025-01-16T21:17:42Z")
Two I’ve been thinking about: Andy Beshear (mentioned above) - Democratic governor of Kentucky. Just re-elected to a second term in a solid red state, very personable and presents as a very decent guy. Chris Murphy - Democratic senator for Connecticut. Has been prominent on gun control but seemingly with an understanding that compromise will be necessary to actually accomplish anything. Mark Cuban is an interesting idea too - maybe the Dems need their own wealthy business-man candidate, but I don’t know what may be in his “closet”. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/34 "2025-01-16T21:32:31Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Other members of “the squad” (Tlaib and Omar specifically) Exactly - I realized later that I was conflating them. Which is a bad thing for AOC - I should know better, and I’m willing to acknowledge I was wrong. But others will tar her with the same brush and won’t be so ready to back down. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/35 "2025-01-16T21:34:37Z")
> [@Mr.Baggins](#): > > You people just elected Donald Fucking Trump Uh, not most anybody on this board. I’d be surprised if we have any non-troll Trumpers around. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/36 "2025-01-16T21:35:11Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I think Ruben Gallego should be a front-runner. Probably — the front-runner. He’s one of the dems supporting the Laken Riley act, no? Pretty good chance that looks terrible for him in a couple years. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/37 "2025-01-16T21:49:15Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I feel our politics is devolving. Well yeah they are. Acting like that isn’t so is a losing proposition as we just learned. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > For better or worse, a media rockstar. Charisma is essential. Smarts and good character would be nice. IOW, a **LEADER.** ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/38 "2025-01-16T22:42:45Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > I’ve always liked Gavin Newsom, but his tenure in California brings a lot of baggage that Republicans will exploit, rightly or wrongly. > > Yeah, IMHO he is the leading contender. No. Newsom is too far left to possibly win (he’s not incredibly Left but he certainly would be perceived that way). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/39 "2025-01-16T23:02:51Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > No. Newsom is too far left to possibly win (he’s not incredibly Left but he certainly would be perceived that way). Further left than Harris? Or Obama? ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036/40 "2025-01-16T23:25:51Z")
I am seeing some fighting of the last (i.e., very recently lost) war here. Namely, looking for the ultimate candidate to defeat Donald Trump, who, despite being an amoral idiot, is a once-in-a-century charismatic demagogue _and_ the ideal person, in terms of personality and outlook, to stoke the social and political resentments of our times. He has been, in a word, a force of nature. But he won’t be running in 2028. And the Republican bench is far, far, _far_ poorer than our own. The chance that JD Vance will be president by the next election is high, and even if he isn’t, he will likely still be the front-runner. I think the only way he can win against an _average_ Democratic candidate is if he’s already been president for a bit and had a chance to prove himself (statistically unlikely) _or_ if Trump Admin 2.0 has been wildly successful and popular (ahem, unlikely). And he’s the best they’ve got! So we don’t need to run Mr. White No-Faults Gun-Toting Beef-Eating Heartland Not-So-Radical Fairly-Generic Democratic Candidate. We can actually nominate someone _good_ and a little bit _left_. And they could be non-white and/or a woman, too! The good news is we have lots of those. Here are my takes on the possibilities and non-possibilities **Possibilities** (best to least best) **Gretchen Whitmer** She’s pretty great in every dimension. Relatable with a winning personality. From a swing state. Solid Democratic principles (as far as I can discern). I don’t see any big weaknesses, either. **Kamala Harris** She could run for governor of California, prove that she has the stuff to win another big election, and run for president again. Keep in mind, she lost to _Trump._ With “able to beat Trump” no longer the standard, I think she’d be strong against whatever clown the GOP runs. **Josh Shapiro** He’s young and charismatic, he’s a good speaker, and he will have had a chance to prove himself in his executive role by 2028. A swing state candidate too. I don’t think his being Jewish is a big weakness at all, since the nazi air will (mostly) be let out of the MAGA tires after Trump is gone. **Andy Beshear** He’s a survivor in an interesting political situation, and he could pitch himself as being able to bridge the gap between right and left. Not from a swing state, however, and he might not even carry Kentucky. **Mark Cuban** An interesting idea. He looks and sounds good on TV, but I’m not sure how he will seem as a candidate, however. Remember when Fred Thompson, also used to appearing on the screen (as an actor), ran as a Republican in 2008? It just didn’t work at all for some reason. Proof of concept required here. **Non-possibilities** (least worst to worst) **Pete Buttigieg** As someone above pointed out, he has not proven himself in a major election. He’s a very interesting and engaging speaker, but he also comes across as a smart guy who helps the president but is _not_ the president. I.e., as a consultant, which of course he was. I think his being gay is a much less significant weakness than his not _quite_ seeming presidential. **Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez** I think she could be a contender in the future but needs to prove herself more and build up a bit more gravitas. Running for senator would be a pretty obvious move on that path. **Tim Walz** He was a good VP candidate, but he definitely comes across as a No. 2 guy, right-hand-man sort of fella–not the guy in charge. I also don’t get the impression that he wants the job. **Sherrod Brown** I don’t know much about him, but I do know that he is no longer a senator and will need to find something impressive and substantial enough to do in the next four years. Otherwise, people will ask, “Why is this guy running?” **Gavin Newsom** Just no. And I don’t even think it’s because he’s from Lib’ral Californ-ee-ya. And there are many good things about him. But he does have personal baggage and–if I had to put my finger on it–he seems like a bit of a _caricature._ It’s the hair, it’s the manner and outsized personality. That kind of thing can work locally, but nationally? And yes, I know that Trump is the _ultimate_ caricature, but we do things a bit differently in the Democratic party. **Random senators and governors** This is just my gut, but I think in 2028 there will be a desire for a Democratic candidate who seems like an off-the-shelf solution to the chaos that Trump/Vance/MAGA will have wreaked by then. I don’t think people will want to go into a study session about new faces and learn about their fine-grained, wonky, and _very special_ takes on policy, etc. Rather, the electorate (and not just our side) will want someone they already know and trust a bit to come in and start cleaning up the toxic waste. So anyone who is not already prominent in 2028 will not have much of a chance, IMHO. That’s my take–I welcome comments! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-democratic-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1013036.md?page=3)