Buttigieg, Newsom, Pritzer making early moves in the 2028 presidential race

As the early moves in the next White House race begin to take shape, the focus among Democrats has already started to shift towards potential contenders for the 2028 presidential election. One notable announcement came from Pete Buttigieg, the former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and Secretary of Transportation under President Biden, who ruled out a run for an open Senate seat in Michigan. This decision seems to pave the way for Buttigieg to potentially launch a White House bid in 2028.

In a statement, Buttigieg emphasized his commitment to supporting a vision that contrasts with the chaos of the Trump administration, hinting at his future political ambitions. A source familiar with Buttigieg’s intentions suggested that running for a Senate or gubernatorial seat in 2026 would have hindered his chances of running for president in 2028.

Another Democrat making headlines is California Governor Gavin Newsom, who recently launched a high-profile podcast series featuring guests like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon. While Newsom’s podcast has garnered attention, it has also sparked criticism from fellow Democrat Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, who denounced giving a platform to individuals like Bannon who promote hatred and violence.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a billionaire and vocal opponent of Trump’s agenda, is also generating speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. Pritzker’s upcoming appearance at a New Hampshire fundraising event, a key state in the presidential primary process, has fueled rumors about his future political aspirations.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who ran alongside Biden in 2024, is contemplating a gubernatorial bid in California in 2026, which could impact her chances of running for president in 2028. Harris recently visited Nevada, another crucial early voting state, indicating her continued interest in national politics.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ former running mate, is embarking on a town hall tour of red congressional districts, potentially laying the groundwork for his own White House bid in 2028. Other Democratic governors like Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Andy Beshear are also being closely watched as possible contenders for the 2028 race.

Even former Obama administration official Rahm Emanuel is rumored to be considering a run for president in 2028. With the Democratic field wide open, early moves are crucial for contenders to establish themselves as viable candidates.

Looking back at the 2024 Republican cycle, the importance of early engagement was evident. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who initially considered a presidential run, made an early appearance in Iowa in 2021, signaling the start of the GOP’s nominating process.

As the Democratic field begins to take shape for the 2028 presidential race, the competition is fierce, and candidates must act swiftly to position themselves as strong contenders. With the next White House race just around the corner, the race for the Democratic nomination is already heating up.