POWER PLAYS

The Early Signs These Democrats Are Running For President in 2028

For these likely candidates, it’s less of an election race than an election marathon. That means it’s already time to start limbering up.

The 2028 presidential election is 1,308 days from now. Which is a long time, but here’s the thing: Democratic candidates who are interested in running for president in 2028 are already making moves to jockey for position in the early stages of the race. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is hosting a podcast in which he talks to people with whom he disagrees, while Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer came to DC last week to deliver an address on bipartisanship and the lessons she’s learned governing a swing state. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has ruled out running for the Senate in Michigan in 2026 even while noting—wink, wink, nudge, nudge—that he isn’t done with politics, and former Vice President Kamala Harris re-emerged from a self-imposed political silence last week to blast President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. But how are these likely-candidates faring in a field that will certainly grow more crowded over time? It’s never too soon to rank their prospects. Click through to see the current standings—with some wildcards in the mix, of course.

Want more ball and strike calling—no matter what uniform the batter at the plate is wearing? Check out Chris Cillizza’s Substack and YouTube channel.