Where do Democrats turn next?
A week and a half after Vice President Kamala Harris was beaten decisively by Donald Trump in the presidential election, Democrats are still reeling while searching for answers about where they went wrong.
Beyond that, it’s natural to wonder about who might lead their ticket next time around.
Spectrum News asked a political strategist and two political science professors to list some Democrats who they think could be strong candidates in 2028. Here’s what they said.
Pete Buttigieg
All three pundits listed Buttigieg, the current transportation secretary.
Trish Crouse, a political science professor at the University of New Haven, and Laura Tamman, a clinical associate professor of political science at Pace University, both said Buttigieg’s regular appearances on conservative media, namely Fox News, have boosted his stock.
“I think Buttigieg is viewed as somewhat of a ‘hero’ in Democratic circles for his ability to stand up to the Right as demonstrated by his many appearances on FOX News,” Crouse wrote in an email. “He is a strong communicator, and I think has the ability to bring all factions of the Democratic Party together.”
Tamman said the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor “impressed a lot of people” by showing a willingness and eagerness to appear on conservative media while campaigning for Harris.
Christopher Bruce, a Democratic strategist who was the political director for Stacey Abrams’ 2022 Georgia gubernatorial campaign, said Buttigieg’s performance when he ran for the Democratic nomination in 2020 “showcased his communication skills and ability to connect with younger voters.” Bruce added that Buttigieg’s tenure as transportation secretary “has given him executive experience and a platform to address critical infrastructure issues.”
Gretchen Whitmer
Bruce said Whitmer, Michigan’s governor since 2019, has demonstrated strong leadership in a key swing state, particularly on issues such as abortion rights and economic recovery.
“She has shown the ability to connect with working-class voters and deliver legislative wins,” Bruce said.
Tamman said she believes there are a lot of women who are “very angry” about Harris’ loss to Trump and “are eager to see another woman run for the office.”
Whitmer’s experience as an executive is a “great profile for running for president,” Tamman added.
“Executives tend to do better in presidential elections than senators and congressmen because they tend to come across as more authoritative because they've been in charge of something, not just representing someone's interests,” Tamman said.
Gavin Newsom
Tamman said it seems evident that Newsom, California’s governor for the past six years, is eyeing a White House run.
“He's been very prominent and not shy in raising his profile,” she said.
Crouse said if Harris does not run again, Newsom “would most likely have access to Harris's resources in California.”
“They probably share many of the same supporters/donors which would give him a good starting base,” Crouse wrote. “Newsom also has name recognition and is recognized as being a strong critic of Trump and the MAGA movement and is willing to stand up to both.”
Josh Shapiro
Bruce said Shapiro’s decisive victory over Republican Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania’s 2022 gubernatorial election proves he has broad appeal.
“His record on issues such as education, voting rights and criminal justice reform positions him as a progressive yet pragmatic leader,” Bruce said in an email.
Crouse noted that some political observers have second-guessed Harris’ decision to choose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over Shapiro, who, like Whitmer, presides over an election battleground state, as her running mate. But Crouse said that Shapiro being on Harris’ short list elevated his name recognition nationally, which could benefit him if he decides to run for president.
“I also think he could be seen as somewhat of a moderate Democrat, which may help,” she said.
Kamala Harris
Despite Harris’ loss, Crouse said she still considers the outgoing VP to be one of the strongest contenders when looking ahead to 2028.
“I think she may have had more success in this campaign if Joe Biden had announced from the beginning that he would not be running again,” Crouse said. “Trying to pull together a winning campaign in such a short period of time worked against her. Whether she wants to put herself through that again is another matter. But she now has the benefit of knowing what worked and what didn't.”
Tamman agreed that another Harris run should not be ruled out.
“I think it would be interesting to see what she does,” Tamman said. “She could definitely run again. But I could definitely see her feeling similarly to Hillary Clinton, not wanting to do it again. You don't have to keep going.”
Raphael Warnock
Bruce said the Georgia senator’s ability to win in a traditionally red state “highlights his skill in coalition-building and mobilizing diverse voter bases.”
“His background as a pastor and advocate for social justice brings a compelling personal narrative to the race,” he added.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Tamman said the progressive New York congresswoman would be a “formidable contender” if she decided to make a run for the White House.
“I don't think Bernie Sanders is likely to run again, but I do think there is passion in the party for someone who has a vision that’s similar to his,” Tamman said.
“Whether you agree with her or not, she’s one of the most charismatic, engaging elected officials the Democrats have,” she added.
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