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

The 2028 White House race is already starting to take shape, especially among the Democrats. Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary and 2020 presidential candidate, recently announced that he will not be running for an open Democratic-held Senate seat in Michigan. This decision clears the path for a potential 2028 White House bid by Buttigieg.

Buttigieg emphasized that he remains focused on supporting a vision that is an alternative to the chaos of the Trump administration. Sources close to Buttigieg suggest that he is in a strong position to run for president in 2028, and running for senator or governor in 2026 would have taken that possibility off the table.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom is making headlines with his new podcast series, featuring guests like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon. Newsom, who has long been rumored to have national ambitions, is gaining attention and speculation for a potential 2028 run.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is also sparking 2028 speculation as he heads to New Hampshire for the state party’s annual fundraising gala. Trips to New Hampshire are often seen as an indicator of a politician’s interest in running for president.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a run for governor of California in 2026, which could potentially derail her chances of a 2028 White House bid. Harris recently visited Nevada, another key early-voting state in the Democratic primary calendar.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ former running mate in 2024, is also not ruling out a White House run in 2028. Other potential Democratic contenders include Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.

Even Rahm Emanuel, the former White House chief of staff and Chicago mayor, is reportedly considering a 2028 run. With the Democratic Party looking for new leadership, the field for 2028 is wide open.

On the Republican side, the 2024 cycle kicked off early with potential contender Mike Pompeo speaking in Iowa just weeks after Biden took office. The race for 2028 is already heating up, and it seems like candidates are wasting no time in positioning themselves for a run at the White House.