As the 2024 presidential race draws to a close with a Donald Trump victory that could well signal a realignment of the American electorate, the Democratic Party is likely to be forced to rethink its strategy, policies and values over the years to come.
After an election night that only brought bad news for Kamala Harris, The Associated Press declared Trump as the race's winner overnight after he reached the necessary 270 electoral college votes to make it back to the White House. As of the time of this article's publication, Trump had 277 electoral college votes and 51.0 percent of the vote against Harris' 224 electoral college votes and 47.5 percent of the vote.
While it's too early to say what will happen in the next four years and in 2028, it's worth thinking about who will be the figure to incarnate this change for Democrats, trying to stage a comeback for a party now licking its wounds.
Below is a list of possible Democratic presidential candidates in 2028, based on names that have come up when Joe Biden withdrew from the race earlier this year and high-profile Democrats.
While Harris could once again try to win the presidency in 2028, we didn't include her in the following list as, at the moment, we believe that her candidacy would be unlikely after this election's stinging defeat.
Gavin Newsom
The 57-year-old California governor has spent years seeking a national stage, and after Biden's poor performance during his one debate against Trump earlier this year was rumored to be a potential candidate for the presidential ticket. While Newsom didn't put his name forward and backed Harris as the Democratic candidate, the ambitious two-time governor is still considered likely to reach for the White House at one point in his career.
In California, Newsom has been known for his progressive policies on gun control and environmental issues, though he has recently abandoned some of his most progressive political stances to appeal to swing voters and trying to fix ongoing challenges like spiraling homelessness in the Golden State.
Though his popularity has risen at the national level in recent years, Californians have soured on his leadership, especially as they worry about the state's large budget deficit. A poll conducted by Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies in January found that 47 percent of registered California voters disapproved of Newsom's leadership, while 46 percent approved.
Gretchen Whitmer
The 53-year-old Michigan governor was very much in the same position as Newsom after Biden's catastrophic presidential debate against Trump. Like Newsom, Whitmer was rumored to be a good candidate to replace Biden, but quickly said that she wouldn't be seeking the nomination, supporting Harris instead.
Whitmer rose to national attention thanks to her strict lockdown guidelines during the COVID-19 health emergency. She's also known to be an advocate for stricter gun safety legislation and abortion rights. As governor of a key swing state, Whitmer appeals to both moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party and is likely to attract the support of independents and those undecided.
Wes Moore
The 46-year-old Maryland governor—the third Black governor to be elected in the country—was a fierce defender of Biden after the infamous first presidential debate, trying to galvanize Black voters to vote Democrat.
Moore has attracted national attention after pardoning 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions in Maryland, in what he called "the most sweeping state-level pardon in any state in American history."
While he was also discussed as a potential replacement for Biden, Moore strongly stated at the time that he would have not been seeking the nomination. As the youngest Democratic governor in the country and the only African American, Moore could have the potential to rejuvenate the Democratic Party's electorate and attract Black voters lost to Trump in the 2024 election.
Pete Buttigieg
The 42-year-old former naval officer and one of the Democratic Party's biggest and brightest young stars has been considered the most influential figure in Joe Biden's cabinet. As secretary of transportation, Buttigieg has faced a series of thorny crises in the past four years, including several strikes and incidents, which led to harsh criticism from the Republican Party and even an impeachment attempt.
Despite these difficulties, Buttigieg has kept his popularity up among Democrats and is a well-known figure nationwide thanks to his appearances on Fox News and conservative news channels, which have made him known as a great communicator and representative for the party.
As an openly gay politician, Buttigieg would also represent a change for the Democratic Party that would be welcome by its most progressive factions.
Josh Shapiro
A well-beloved figure in a crucial battleground state that backed Trump this year, Shapiro could also represent a strong candidate for the 2028 presidential election. The 51-year-old Pennsylvania governor was reportedly being considered by Harris as her running mate for the presidential ticket, but it was said that he was too ambitious and too heavy of a political figure to be chosen by the vice president.
As a moderate who's been prizing social justice and defending democracy, Shapiro could appeal to both Democrats and disenfranchised Republicans concerned about Trump's election denialism.
J.B. Pritzker
The 59-year-old Illinois governor, a billionaire who is heir to the Hyatt Hotel empire, could easily fund a campaign for the White House and there were signs, after Biden's disastrous debate earlier this year, that he was prepared to step up to the national stage.
Pritzker is best known for signing a historic bill that will raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 per hour by 2025, for his action to hold gun manufacturers accountable for the gun violence caused by unsafe marketing practices, and for defending abortion rights in the state. This year, the governor signed multiple bills expanding reproductive rights in Illinois and his nonprofit group, Think Big America, hassled to help states with a ballot question on abortion rights move forward to advance their initiatives.
These—gun safety, minimum wages, and abortion rights—are all issues likely to appeal to Democratic voters on the national level.
Ruben Gallego
Another rising young star of the Democratic party, Gallego could be a wild card for the 2028 presidential race. The 44-year-old Arizona Representative is now running for the state's Senate against Trump-endorsed Kari Lake, an election denialist who lost the gubernatorial race to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2022.
As a former Marine, Gallego has great traction among veterans and working-class families—a part of the electorate Democrats should work hard to win back. The congressman can also count on the support of Latino voters, a growing force in the swing state of Arizona and one that's expected to weigh heavily in future presidential races.
Gallego is also fierce in his attacks against the MAGA movement and would be a good match against a potential J.D. Vance's candidacy, as a potential race between the two would see a face off between two young, well-spoken nominees.
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