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2028 United States presidential election

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2028 United States presidential election
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For related races, see 2028 United States elections.

Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in the United States on November 7, 2028, to elect the president and vice president for a term of four years.

Quick Facts 538 members of the Electoral College 270 electoral votes needed to win, Party ...

In the 2024 elections, the Republican Party retained its majority in the House of Representatives and gained control of the Senate. Then-former president Donald Trump won a non-consecutive second term; he is ineligible for a third term as per the term limits imposed by the 22nd amendment to the US Constitution.

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Background

See also: 2024 United States elections
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The incumbent president, Donald Trump. His second term will expire at noon on January 20, 2029.

The Republican Party returned to power in the United States in January 2025 with a government trifecta following the 2024 elections. Trump, who was elected president in 2016 but lost a re-election bid in 2020 to Joe Biden, defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, who began her campaign following Biden's exit from the 2024 election. This election also saw JD Vance, a then-senator from Ohio, defeat Minnesota governor Tim Walz for the vice presidency. Trump's victory was credited to a post-pandemic surge in inflation,[a] a migrant crisis at the U.S.–Mexico border,[b] and a global anti-incumbent backlash.[7][8][9] In addition, Republicans secured control of the Senate, flipping four seats and earning a three-seat majority, while also retaining a House majority, though the party's majority narrowed to three seats after losing two seats.[10]

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Electoral system

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Main article: United States Electoral College
See also: United States presidential primary and Primary elections in the United States

The president and vice president of the United States are elected through the Electoral College, determined by the number of senators and representatives with an additional three representatives for Washington, D.C. A majority of 270 votes is needed to win the election. Forty-eight states use a winner-take-all system, in which states award all of their electors to the winner of the popular vote. In Maine and Nebraska, two votes are allocated to the winner of the popular vote, while each of the individual congressional districts have one vote. Electoral votes are certified by state electors in December and by Congress on January 6.[11] Presidential candidates are selected in a presidential primary, conducted through primary elections run by state governments or caucuses run by state parties which bind convention delegates to candidates.[12] A brokered convention occurs when a candidate does not receive a majority of votes on the first round of voting,[13] or when a candidate withdraws.[14]

Election Day in the United States is held on the first Tuesday that falls after the first Monday in November.[15] The 2028 presidential election will occur on November 7, 2028.

Eligibility

The United States Constitution limits occupancy of the presidency to individuals who are at least thirty-five, who have been a resident in the United States for at least fourteen years, and who are a natural-born citizen.[16] For instance, Elon Musk, most well known for his leadership of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), is ineligible to serve as president as he is a naturalized citizen who was born in South Africa.[17] Section three of the Fourteenth Amendment prevents current and former federal, state, and military officials from holding office—including the presidency—if they have "engaged in insurrection or rebellion" against the United States;[18] in March 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Trump v. Anderson that former president Donald Trump could seek office after challenges to his ballot eligibility were raised by several state attorneys general.[19] A convicted felon may serve as president.[20]

Incumbent president Trump along with former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are ineligible to be elected to a third term, as the Twenty-second Amendment forbids any person from being elected president more than twice.[21] Nonetheless, Trump has repeatedly suggested running for a third term, an idea supported by several of his allies, including Steve Bannon.[22] In January 2025, Tennessee representative Andy Ogles proposed a resolution to amend the Twenty-second Amendment, allowing for presidents who have served two non-consecutive terms to seek a third term. The amendment would not permit living presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, or Barack Obama to run for a third term, due to the allowed third term being contingent on the first two being served non-consecutively.[23] At CPAC 2025, conservative groups, such as the Third Term Project, supported Ogles' resolution and promoted the idea of Trump running for an as-yet unconstitutional third term.[24][25] In response, New York Democratic representative Dan Goldman planned to introduce a resolution affirming the Twenty-second Amendment.[26] In March, Trump floated the possibility of serving a third term in an interview with NBC News, saying "A lot of people want me to do it. But, I mean, I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, it's very early in the administration. I'm focused on the current." He added that "there are methods" and that he was "not joking". He agreed that one method would be to have vice president JD Vance run for president and then resign and indicated that there are other methods to become a third-term president.[27] On April 24, 2025, multiple news outlets reported that the Trump store was selling "Trump 2028" hats.[28][29] In a May interview with NBC News, Trump said he would make it his goal to only serve two terms and named JD Vance and Marco Rubio as potential successors.[30] Trump said in an August interview on CNBC's Squawk Box that he would would "probably not" run for a third term, though he would like to.[31]

Electoral map

Main article: Red states and blue states
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This map shows how partisan states are by the Cook Partisan Voting Index. Swing states are the states in lighter colors.

Most U.S. states are usually not highly competitive in presidential elections, often voting consistently for the same party due to longstanding demographic and ideological differences. In the Electoral College, this results in major-party candidates primarily focusing their campaigns on swing states, which can swing between parties from election to election. These states are critical for a presidential candidate's path to victory. For 2028, the expected swing states likely include the Rust Belt states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, all of which narrowly voted for Trump in 2024.[32][33][34]

States formerly considered swing states, such as Florida, Iowa, and Ohio, voted for Trump in all three of his previous election bids, as well as for the Republican Party's candidates in other state and federal elections, with increasing margins in each election and are now seen as solidly red states.[35][36][37] Former red or swing states that, since 2008, have consistently voted Democratic include Colorado, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia.[38] Due to its recent record of voting Democratic even during Republican national victories, Nebraska's 2nd congressional district has been called "the Blue Dot".[39][40] Some analysts believe New Jersey, traditionally a Democratic stronghold, may become a battleground due to Harris narrowly winning the state in 2024 and the state's 10-point shift to the right from 2020.[41][42]

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Republican Party primaries

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Candidates

Expressed interest

Republican candidates who have expressed an interest in running[c]
Don Bacon

Don Bacon has served as the representative of Nebraska's 2nd congressional district since 2017. He is considered to be one of the most moderate Republican members of Congress. After announcing his retirement ahead of the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections, he stated that he was interested in serving in an executive role, such as governor of Nebraska or president.[43][44]

Tucker Carlson

Tucker Carlson is the host of The Tucker Carlson Show and co-founder of The Daily Caller. He has been described as "the most influential voice in right-wing media, without a close second,".[45] He has been mentioned as a potential candidate by The Washington Post[46] and Politico.[47] In an episode of his podcast in 2024, Carlson stated that he would consider running for president in 2028, but also conceded that "I don't think I'd be very good at it."[48]

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard is the Director of National Intelligence and previously served as the U.S. representative from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2021. She ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, registered as an independent in 2022, and joined the Republican Party in 2024.[49] In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Gabbard said she would "never rule out" a run for president in 2028 and said she was considering it.[50][51][52]

Eric Trump

Eric Trump is an American businessman, activist, and former reality television presenter. He is the son of U.S. President Donald Trump. In June 2025, in an interview with the Financial Times, he left open the possibility of himself or a family member running in 2028, saying "the political path" for a family dynasty "would be an easy one" and that he could do the job "very effectively".[53][54][55]

Speculated by the media

Potential Republican candidates[d]
Greg Abbott

Greg Abbott is an American politician, attorney, and jurist serving since 2015 as the 48th governor of Texas. He served from 2002 to 2015 as the 50th attorney general of Texas and from 1996 to 2001 as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Abbott is the longest-serving incumbent governor in the United States. Abbott is regarded as a strong Trump supporter, especially on immigration and securing the southern border. He has worked to strengthen his state's cooperation with the Trump administration on immigration issues.[56] Abbott has been noted as a potential contender by The Dallas Morning News and The Houston Chronicle.[57][58]

Steve Bannon

Steve Bannon is an American media executive, political strategist, and former investment banker. He served as the White House's chief strategist for the first seven months of U.S. president Donald Trump's first administration, before Trump discharged him. He is a former executive chairman of Breitbart News. Bannon wants to see Trump run again in 2028 and has already endorsed him.[59] In April 2025, he told Bill Maher that "President Trump is going to be elected again".[60]

Bannon has been mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential contender in Politico Magazine[61] and in an interview with Politico,[62] in which Bannon did not deny the possibility should president Donald Trump not run for a third term. Bannon received 12% in the CPAC 2025 straw poll, coming second ahead of Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio but far behind Vice President JD Vance (61%).[63] By March 2025, The New York Times wrote that allies of Bannon were "quick to mention him as a potential candidate for president".[64]

Doug Burgum

Doug Burgum has served as Secretary of the Interior since February 2025 and previously served as governor of North Dakota from 2016 to 2024. After seeking the Republican nomination in 2024, he was reportedly the runner-up for Trump's vice presidential pick, but Trump was discouraged from choosing him by his sons and Tucker Carlson in favor of JD Vance.[65][66] He has been mentioned as a potential candidate in 2028 by National Security Journal, who described him in May 2025 as "...an affable personality with MAGA credentials"[67] and CNN, who underscored him as well as Kristi Noem in August as former governors who were Trump allies with ambitions but who also lacked the advantages of Vance or Marco Rubio.[68]

Liz Cheney

Liz Cheney is a former U.S. Representative who served in Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023, and the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. Cheney, along with her father, broke with party ranks by endorsing the Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, and recently has been publicly supportive of the Republican Party's most centrist members, including U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. When asked about a potential run for national office, Cheney said “I don’t know if I’ll end up being a candidate again myself, but it’s certainly not something I’m ruling out.”[69][70]

Tom Cotton

Tom Cotton has served as a U.S. senator from Arkansas since 2015. A staunch Trump ally, Cotton is considered a hardliner within the GOP who has repeatedly called for the use of force against opponents of the president and the Republican agenda.[71][72] He has been mentioned as a potential candidate by The Hill,[73] the Associated Press[74] and CNN.[68]

Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz has served as a U.S. senator from Texas since 2013. The runner-up to Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries, Cruz has said that he expects to seek the presidency again at some point. He was mentioned as a potential candidate by The Houston Chronicle,[58] Politico,[75] The Hill[73] and CNN.[68]

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis has served as the governor of Florida since 2019 and previously ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. He has been considered a possible candidate by The Hill,[76] Florida Politics[77][78] and CNN.[68]

Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley was the runner-up in the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. She previously served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2018, during the first Trump administration, and as the governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. She has been considered a potential candidate by Politico,[79] The Week[80] and CNN.[68]

Josh Hawley

Josh Hawley has served as a U.S. senator from Missouri since 2019. Hawley has rhetorically broken with Trump in the past as well as prospective primary rival JD Vance.[81] He has been mentioned as a potential candidate by The Hill,[73] NBC News[82] and CNN.[68]

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth has served as Secretary of Defense since January 2025, under President Donald Trump. He previously worked as a television presenter for Fox News and served as a major in the Army National Guard. He has been considered as a potential presidential candidate by MSN[83] and the Washington Examiner.[84]

Brian Kemp

Brian Kemp has served as the governor of Georgia since 2019. Kemp opposed President Trump's claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election but was ultimately endorsed by Trump in Kemp's successful 2022 re-election campaign.[85] In May 2025, Kemp ruled out a Senate bid, leaving open the possibility of a presidential campaign.[86][87] He has been mentioned as a potential candidate by CNN.[68]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has served as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services since February 2025. He ran for president in 2024, initially for the Democratic party nomination and then as an independent candidate. He has been mentioned as a potential candidate by Axios,[88] The Daily Telegraph[89] and CNN.[68]

Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem is the United States Secretary of Homeland Security and previously served as the governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025. She considered running for the president in 2024, but decided against pursuing the nomination. She has been mentioned as a possible candidate by The Hill[76] and The Week.[80]

Rand Paul

Rand Paul has served as a U.S. Senator from Kentucky since 2011. His father, Ron Paul, is a former U.S. Representative from Texas who sought the presidency thrice—once in 1988 with the Libertarian Party and in 2008 as well as 2012 with the Republicans. In 2016, the senator challenged Trump for the Republican nomination but withdrew following a poor showing in the Iowa caucus. A rival turned supporter on multiple fronts, Paul has spoken out against Trump concerning mass deportations,[90] foreign policy,[91] tariffs[92] and Trump's attitude towards the Constitution.[93]

Paul has been mentioned by a possible contender by The Hill, with a Republican strategist in April 2025 noting him alongside Senators Tom Cotton, Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley as former Senate colleagues who could complicate JD Vance's path to the nomination.[73] In late May, CNN described Paul as a senator with '2028 ambitions', outlining his critiques of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivered in the electorally-critical state of Iowa.[94] During an event in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, in July 2025, Paul declined to rule out a run for president, expressing a desire for someone in the Republican Party who supports international trade.[95]

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio is the United States Secretary of State and served as a U.S. senator from Florida from 2011 to 2025. Rubio sought the Republican nomination for president of the United States in 2016, losing to Donald Trump. Six former secretaries of state have been elected president of the United States and Rubio has been mentioned as a potential candidate by The Hill[76] as well as CNN.[68] President Trump later mentioned Rubio as a potential successor in May 2025.[96][97]

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Sarah Huckabee Sanders has served as the governor of Arkansas since 2023 and previously served as the 31st White House Press Secretary in the first Trump administration. She is the daughter of current United States Ambassador to Israel and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee, who ran in the 2008 and 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries. She has been noted as a possible contender by Axios[98], The Des Moines Register,[99] the Financial Times[100] and CNN.[68]

Tim Scott

Tim Scott has served as a U.S. senator from South Carolina since 2013 and ran for the nomination in 2024. He previously served as U.S. representative from South Carolina's 1st congressional district from 2011 to 2013. Scott has been considered as a possible candidate for president in 2028 by Axios,[101] The Week,[102] and the Courier Journal.[103]

Rick Scott

Rick Scott has served as a U.S. senator from Florida since 2019. He previously served as governor from 2011 to 2019. Scott was noted in August 2025 by CNN as being part of a group of GOP senators who will be watched for 2028 but who would experience difficulties making headway in a crowded field[68] and WION for being active in early primary states alongside Rand Paul.[104]

JD Vance

JD Vance has served as the vice president of the United States since 2025. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Ohio from 2023 to 2025. In a February 2025 interview, President Trump stated that he did not see Vance as his successor, stating "he's very capable" and "it's too early, we're just starting."[105] Trump later mentioned Vance as a potential successor in May 2025.[96][97] At the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference, Vance overwhelmingly won the annual presidential straw poll with 61% of attendees declaring their support.[63] In an interview with NBC News, Vance said he does not think he is "entitled" to a presidential run in 2028 and said there was no bad blood between him and fellow potential candidate Rubio.[106]

Glenn Youngkin

Glenn Youngkin has served as the governor of Virginia since 2022, and is barred by the state's constitution from seeking a second consecutive term. He has been noted as a possible candidate by The Hill,[76] The New York Times,[107] Axios[108] and CNN.[68] On July 17, 2025, Youngkin headlined and spoke at the Iowa Republican Party's annual Lincoln Dinner, which is often described as a first step in a presidential campaign.[109][110][111]

Declined to be candidates

The following notable individuals have publicly denied interest in being a candidate:

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Democratic Party primaries

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Primary schedule

According to reporting from NBC News, multiple DNC members are looking into changing the order of state primaries for the Democratic nomination. Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party Jane Kleeb stated in November 2024 that "The 2024 calendar will absolutely not be the calendar for 2028."[119] The DNC chose South Carolina to be the first primary in 2024.[120] In December 2024, Ray Buckley, Chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, announced his intention to work towards restoring New Hampshire's status as the first-in-the-nation Democratic presidential primary for the 2028 presidential nominating calendar.[121] Democrats in Nevada have started a bid to hold the first-in-the-nation primary in 2028.[122]

In 2023, the Democratic National Committee voted to strip Iowa of its first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses.[123] In November 2024, after the presidential election, Scott Brennan, the only Iowan on the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee at the time, said he still plans to fight for the return of the first-in-the-nation presidential caucus spot back to Iowa.[124] In June 2025, Iowa's only seat on the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, which determines the order of states in the presidential nominating process, was removed, and New Hampshire was awarded a second seat on the committee.[125]

Candidates

Expressed interest

Democratic candidates who have expressed an interest in running[h]
Andy Beshear

Andy Beshear has served as the governor of Kentucky since 2019. He was previously on the shortlist to be the vice presidential nominee for the 2024 election.[126] In October 2024, Beshear headlined an event for the New Hampshire Democrats, a key early primary state, where he promoted both himself and Vice President Kamala Harris to attendees, signaling his future aspirations. In interviews with WDRB and Vanity Fair, Beshear said he "would consider" running for president in 2028.[127][128]

Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg served as the United States Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025. Prior to becoming Secretary of Transportation, he served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from 2012 to 2020. Buttigieg was thrust into the national spotlight with his 2020 presidential campaign, where he narrowly won the Iowa caucus and finished a close second in the New Hampshire primary, but ultimately dropped out after a poor performance in South Carolina.[129] Buttigieg was also a contender to be Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate after she secured the Democratic nomination for president. If nominated, Buttigieg would be the first openly LGBT individual to receive the nomination of a major party in the United States.[130] After Buttigieg's radio talk show appearances in New Hampshire and Cleveland to address infrastructure plans for the future, there had been speculation that Buttigieg might be making early campaign stops for the governor race in Michigan as well as the presidential election. NBC News reported in March that he did not intend to run for Senate, setting up a potential presidential bid.[131]

In May 2025, in an interview with Anand Giridharadas, he confirmed he is considering a 2028 presidential run, saying he will "assess what I bring to the table and how it's different than the others."[132][133]

Rahm Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel most recently served as United States ambassador to Japan from 2022 to 2025. He represented Illinois in the United States House of Representatives for three terms from 2003 to 2009. He was the White House Chief of Staff from 2009 to 2010 under President Barack Obama and served as mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019. There was speculation by the Chicago Sun-Times and NBC News that he may run for president in 2028.[134][135] In March 2025, Jonathan Martin of Politico posited that Emanuel is preparing for a presidential campaign.[136] In May 2025, Emanuel confirmed the speculation, saying "I am in training, I don't know if I'll make it to the Olympics".[137]

Josh Green

Josh Green has served as the 9th governor of Hawaii since 2022, and previously served as the 15th lieutenant governor and in both houses of the Hawaii Legislature.[138][139][140] In an interview with NBC, Green explained that he is considering a presidential campaign, stating “Among governors, I think there are probably eight to 10 of us who are elevating in the public dialogue. I haven’t made up my mind about what the future holds. I would be honored to help whomever. I might even become a potential candidate, but only if I’ve actually done a good job.”[141] Green was also considered a speculative candidate by Politico.[142]

Ro Khanna

Ro Khanna has served as the representative of California's 17th congressional district since 2017. Khanna has shown interest[143] in running to be the "president on his vision" of progressive capitalism at some point.[144] He served as the co-chair of Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign.[143] He has been described as a progressive but ideologically to the right of democratic socialists like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Khanna has been proposed as a potential 2028 candidate by multiple news outlets, including Politico,[145] ABC News,[146] and The New York Sun.[147] In March 2025, in an interview with The New York Times, he did not rule out running for president in 2028.[148]

Gina Raimondo

Gina Raimondo served as the United States Secretary of Commerce from 2021 to 2025, and served as Governor of Rhode Island from 2015 to 2021. In April 2025, she stated during a University of Chicago Institute of Politics event that she was considering a run for president in 2028.[149][150]

Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith is an ESPN sports television personality and commentator. He is a registered independent but says he would run as a Democrat.[151] He walked back some previous statements concerning running in February, saying that he was not interested in running for president,[152] but in April 2025, he said that he has "no choice" but to consider a presidential bid.[153]

Speculated by the media

Potential Democratic candidates[d]
Cory Booker

Cory Booker has served as a U.S. senator from New Jersey since 2013 and ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. He previously served as mayor of Newark, New Jersey from 2006 to 2013. On April 1, 2025, Booker broke the record for the longest Senate floor speech in protest against Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which GOP pollster Frank Luntz remarked positioned him as a party leader in the coming future.[154] After his speech, USA Today noted Booker as a potential candidate.[155]

Roy Cooper

Roy Cooper served as the governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025. He was considered a potential contender to be the vice presidential nominee for the 2024 election, but removed himself from consideration.[156] He is a Democratic candidate in the 2026 United States Senate election in North Carolina.[157] He has been considered a potential presidential candidate by Katie Couric Media[158] and Carolina Review.[159]

Jasmine Crockett

Jasmine Crockett has served as the representative of Texas's 30th congressional district since 2023. She has gained attention from her speeches during Oversight Committee hearings, especially those involving Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. She has been mentioned as a potential candidate by Atlanta Black Star,[160] Tampa Free Press,[161] and Semafor.[162] In an appearance on Inside Texas Politics, in March 2025, she acknowledged her "authentic" personality might hinder a potential 2028 run.[161]

Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo served as the governor of New York from 2011 until his resignation due to numerous sexual assault allegations in 2021, and the 64th attorney general of New York from 2007 to 2010. He is an independent candidate in the 2025 New York City mayoral election. He has been mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate in The Hill,[163] The New York Times,[164] and The Wall Street Journal.[165] During an interview, Cuomo said "no comment" when asked whether he would run for president in the future.[166]

John Fetterman

John Fetterman has served as a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania since 2023, and previously served as lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania from 2019 to 2023. Fetterman has frequently been considered one of the Senate Democratic Caucus's most centrist members, recently for his opposition to a government shutdown, disagreements with the party's economic policies, and with Bill Maher calling him "unequivocally pro-Israel" in a statement where he said Fetterman should run for president.[167][168] In November 2024, Fetterman declined interest in running for president,[169] but in an April 2025 interview with Chuck Todd he didn't rule it out.[170][better source needed]

Ruben Gallego

Ruben Gallego has served as a U.S. senator from Arizona since 2025. He also previously served as U.S. representative from Arizona's 3rd congressional district from 2015 until 2025. In May 2025, Gallego's participation in a town hall meeting in battleground Pennsylvania stirred speculation of a 2028 presidential bid.[171][172]

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris served as the vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. She became the nominee for president in the 2024 presidential election after President Joe Biden withdrew his bid, losing to Donald Trump.[173] Harris, who has the largest donor network in the Democratic Party, may run for the presidency again in 2028, although her loss in the previous election could potentially give her a disadvantage.[173] According to USA Today, Harris intended to run in 2028 before Biden's withdrawal.[174] Following the 2024 presidential election, Harris considered running for governor of California in 2026, but in July 2025 she opted not to.[175][176]

Maura Healey

Maura Healey has served as the governor of Massachusetts since 2023. She previously served as attorney general of Massachusetts from 2015 to 2023. Healey has been regarded as a potential candidate by the Boston Herald,[177] WBSM,[178] and CBS News.[179]

Mark Kelly

Mark Kelly has served as a U.S. senator from Arizona since 2020. He was previously on the shortlist to be the vice presidential nominee for the 2024 election, and was seen as a potential replacement for President Joe Biden before he withdrew from the race.[180] He has been noted as a potential candidate by The Arizona Republic and Semafor.[181][162]

Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar has served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota since 2007. A candidate in the 2020 Democratic primaries, she was mentioned as a potential candidate by CBS News.[182] In May 2025, Klobuchar said the Democratic Party should not rule out having a female as the 2028 nominee, setting up a potential bid.[183]

Terry McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe served as the governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018. He previously served as chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. He has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate by The Times[184] and The Washington Post.[185]

Chris Murphy

Chris Murphy has served as a U.S. senator from Connecticut since 2013. Murphy has been one of the most prominent opponents of President Trump's agenda since the 2024 presidential election. He has focused on and expressed alarm over what he says is the erosion of American democracy and government corruption.[186][187][188][189] Murphy is an outspoken critic of neoliberalism, and has instead advocated left-wing populism and big tent politics to win back working-class voters and build a winning coalition.[190][191][192] He has been mentioned as a potential candidate in Politico,[193] The Atlantic,[191] and The Guardian.[194]

Phil Murphy

Phil Murphy has served as the governor of New Jersey since 2018. He previously served as U.S. ambassador to Germany from 2009 to 2013 under President Barack Obama. He has been considered a potential presidential candidate by NBC News,[141] Axios,[195] and Politico.[196]

Gavin Newsom

Gavin Newsom has served as the governor of California since 2019. Newsom has been viewed as a contender for the 2028 presidential election by The New York Times[197] and he was seen as a potential replacement for Biden after his withdrawal from the 2024 election by The New York Times.[198] According to The New York Times, Newsom was considering a bid for the presidency by September 2023.[199] After Newsom's response to the June 2025 Los Angeles protests, it was reported that his chances of being the 2028 Democratic nominee increased significantly.[200][201]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has served as the representative of New York's 14th congressional district since 2019. Politico noted that Ocasio-Cortez "has a prominent following from younger, diverse people".[202][203] The Hill argued that she had moderated her stances during the presidency of Joe Biden, taking a more centrist approach compared to Sanders.[204]

Axios noted in April 2025 that Ocasio-Cortez has been "surging in early polling of potential 2028 presidential candidates".[205] Vanity Fair has reported that Ocasio-Cortez is reluctant to launch a presidential campaign and also noted that some have called for her to primary Chuck Schumer in the 2028 New York Senate elections.[206]

Jon Ossoff

Jon Ossoff has served as a U.S. senator from Georgia since 2021. He has been mentioned as a potential candidate by Semafor[162] and The New York Times.[207]

JB Pritzker

JB Pritzker has served as the governor of Illinois since 2019. Pritzker is one of the wealthiest elected officials in America with an estimated net worth of $3.7 billion,[208] and has largely bankrolled his own gubernatorial campaigns, as well as national abortion-rights initiatives.[209][210] Pritzker was considered a potential running mate to Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.[211] Pritzker is a potential Democratic contender, according to NBC News[212] and The Wall Street Journal.[208] In 2023, Pritzker declined to speak directly with representative Dean Phillips regarding his effort to try to convince him to enter the Democratic Party presidential primary race to oppose Biden.[213][214] Pritzker is also seeking a third term as governor of Illinois in 2026.

Jamie Raskin

Jamie Raskin has served as the representative of Maryland's 8th congressional district since 2017, and is a ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. He also previously served as a state senator of Maryland's 20th legislative district. During a town hall in Cambridge, Maryland, an audience member asked him if he would consider running for president in the next election, to which Raskin said he would do "whatever it takes to save our democracy."[215][216]

Josh Shapiro

Josh Shapiro has served as the governor of Pennsylvania since 2023. Being elected in 2022 by 15 points in a state won by Donald Trump twice, And with him being relatively popular in his home state, Shapiro has been considered a top potential presidential candidate.[217] Shapiro is also seen as a politician who could garner votes from white working-class voters by CNN.[218] Shapiro has also faced criticism from within left-leaning corners of the Democratic Party for being considered moderate on certain issues, including the war in Gaza and his support for private school vouchers.[219][220] In March 2025, Shapiro dismissed comments that he could run for president in an interview with Bill Maher on Real Time with Bill Maher.[221] Charles Barkley, a former basketball player, stated on SI Media with Jimmy Traina that Shapiro should run for president.[222]

Raphael Warnock

Raphael Warnock has served as a U.S senator from Georgia since 2021. He has been mentioned as a potential candidate by Semafor[162] and Katie Couric Media.[158]

Declined to be candidates

The following notable individuals have publicly denied interest in being a candidate:

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Third-party and independent candidates

Declined to be candidates

The following notable individuals have publicly denied interest in being a candidate:

Timeline

Main article: Timeline of the 2028 United States presidential election

Opinion polling

Republican primary

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Nationwide

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Florida
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General election

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Notes

  1. Attributed to multiple sources:[1][2][3]
  2. Attributed to multiple sources:[4][5][6]
  3. Individuals listed below have personally expressed an interest in seeking the 2028 Republican Party presidential nomination in at least two reliable media sources in the last six months.
  4. Individuals listed below have been mentioned as potential 2028 presidential candidates in at least two reliable media sources in the last six months.
  5. Kennedy is a registered independent and was a Democrat until 2023, but he has been polled amongst potential Republican candidates
  6. Kinzinger has declined interest in running for president in 2028 as a Republican, but has expressed interest in running with a different party affiliation.
  7. Ineligible per the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution
  8. Individuals listed below have personally expressed an interest in seeking the 2028 Democratic Party presidential nomination in at least two reliable media sources in the last six months.
  9. Smith is a registered independent, but he has been polled amongst potential Democratic candidates and has expressed interest in running for president as a Democrat.
  10. Cuomo is a registered Democrat currently running for mayor of New York City as an independent candidate.
  11. Sanders is an independent, but he caucuses with the Democratic Party.
  12. Sinema was a registered Democrat until 2022, at which point she changed her registration to independent, and continued to caucus with the Senate Democrats.
  13. Huckabee Sanders 2.5%, Ted Cruz 2.2%, Kari Lake 1.9%, Tim Scott 1.9%, Bryon Donalds 1.3%, Kristi Noem 1.1%, Glenn Youngkin 1.0%
  14. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  15. Registered Independent, left Democratic Party in 2023
  16. None of the above 7.6%, Tim Scott 2.6%, Kristi Noem 1.4%, Greg Abbott 0.9%, Brian Kemp 0.2%, Tom Cotton 0.2%
  17. Sarah Huckabee Sanders 3%, Tim Scott 1%, Tulsi Gabbard 1%, Glenn Youngkin 1%, Steve Bannon 1%, Josh Hawley *%, Kristi Noem *%, Doug Burgum -, Someone else 1%
  18. Glenn Youngkin 2%, S. Huckabee Sanders 1%, Tim Scott 1%, Greg Abbott 1%, Rick Scott 1%, Tom Cotton 1%, Elise Stefanik 1%, Tulsi Gabbard 1%, Kristi Noem 0%, Larry Hogan*
  19. Kristi Noem 2%, Tulsi Gabbard 1%, Glenn Youngkin 1%, Brian Kemp <0.5%, Scott Bessent <0.5%, Someone else 4%
  20. Other Republican 11%
  21. Greg Abbott 2%, Tulsi Gabbard 2%, Kristi Noem 1%, Glenn Youngkin 1%, S. Huckabee Sanders 1%, Tim Scott 1%, Tom Cotton 1%, Rick Scott 1%, Elise Stefanik 0%, Larry Hogan *
  22. Tim Scott 2.2%, Glenn Youngkin 1.1%, Tom Cotton 0.9%, Greg Abbott 0.8%, Brian Kemp 0.7%, Kristi Noem 0.5%, None of the listed 15.6%
  23. Tulsi Gabbard 2%, Rick Scott 1%, Kristi Noem 1%, S. Huckabee Sanders 1%, Tim Scott 1%, Greg Abbott 1%, Elise Stefanik 1%, Glenn Youngkin 1%
  24. Tim Scott 2%, Kristi Noem 2%, Glenn Youngkin 1%, Elise Stefanik 1%, Steve Bannon 1%, Scott Bessent 0%, None of the mentioned 3%
  25. 3% for Glenn Youngkin; 1% for Tulsi Gabbard, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Tim Scott; <1% for Steve Bannon, Doug Burgum, Josh Hawley, and Kristi Noem; 1% for "Someone else"
  26. 2% Sarah Huckabee Sanders, 2% Kristi Noem, 1% Tulsi Gabbard, 1% Glenn Youngkin, 1% Rick Scott, 1% Elise Stefanik, 1% Greg Abbott, 1% Tim Scott
  27. Polling was conducted under the hypothetical pretext of an amendment to the US constitution removing or changing the presidential two term limit, which had been hinted at by some GOP MAGA politicians as well an idea that has also been promoted by President Trump.[234]
  28. Scott 2%, Bannon 1%, Youngkin 1%, Noem 1%, Someone else 7%
  29. Youngkin 2%, Noem 1%, Bannon 1%, Bessent 1%, Scott 1%, Someone else 8%
  30. Youngkin 2%, Scott 1%, Stefanik 1%, Noem 1%, Someone else 7%
  31. Tulsi Gabbard 2%, Tucker Carlson 1%, Tim Scott 1%, Someone else 2%
  32. Kristi Noem 8%, Tucker Carlson 5%, Glenn Youngkin 3%
  33. Josh Hawley 1%, Sarah Huckabee Sanders 1%, Kristi Noem 1%, Tulsi Gabbard 1%, Tim Scott 1%, someone else 2%
  34. 2% for Tulsi Gabbard; 1% for Steve Bannon, Josh Hawley, Brian Kemp, Tim Scott, and Glenn Youngkin; 3% for "Other"
  35. 4% for Tulsi Gabbard, 2% for Josh Hawley, Brian Kemp, and Tim Scott; 1% for Steve Bannon and Marjorie Taylor Greene; <0.5% for Glenn Youngkin; 5% for "Other"
  36. Tim Scott 1%, Tulsi Gabbard 1%, someone else 2%
  37. "I would not vote" with 7%
  38. Kristi Noem 2%, Sarah Huckabee Sanders 1%, Glenn Youngkin 1%, Josh Hawley 1%, Tim Scott 1%
  39. Tulsi Gabbard and Kristi Noem with 2%; Greg Abbott, Tom Cotton, Larry Hogan, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Rick Scott, and Tim Scott with 1%; Elise Stefanik and Glenn Youngkin with 0%
  40. Kristi Noem and Sarah Huckabee Sanders with 2%; Doug Burgum, Josh Hawley, Tim Scott, and Glenn Youngkin with 1%; Katie Britt and Elise Stefanik with <1%; "Someone else" with 2%
  41. Tulsi Gabbard with 3%; Gregg Abbott & Glenn Youngkin with 2%; Larry Hogan, Kristi Noem, Sarah Huckabee Sanders & Tim Scott with 1%
  42. Tim Scott with 3%; Tulsi Gabbard, Sarah Huckabee Sanders & Glenn Youngkin with 2%; Greg Abbott, Tom Cotton, Kristi Noem & Rick Scott with 1%; Larry Hogan & Elise Stefanik with <1%
  43. Greg Abbott, Tucker Carlson, Brian Kemp, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Glenn Youngkin with 1%; Someone else with 5%; Would not vote with 4%
  44. Tulsi Gabbard and Candace Owens with 1%; Elon Musk, and Glenn Youngkin with <1%; Someone else with 5%
  45. Musk is not eligible to serve as president as he is not a natural-born citizen
  46. Sarah Huckabee Sanders with 2%; Josh Hawley, Tim Scott, Glenn Youngkin, and Kristi Noem with 1%; Katie Britt, Doug Burgum, and Elise Stefanik with 0%; Someone else with 3%
  47. Sarah Huckabee Sanders with 3%; Josh Hawley, and Tim Scott with 2%; Katie Britt, Byron Donalds, and Glenn Youngkin with 1%
  48. Tucker Carlson with 6%; Greg Abbott with 3%; Kari Lake and Glenn Youngkin with 2%; Tom Cotton, Byron Donalds, Josh Hawley, Brian Kemp, and Elise Stefanik with 1%; Katie Britt with 0%
  49. Registered Independent, left Democratic Party in 2023
  50. Vivek Ramaswamy 3%, Nikki Haley 2.7%, Ted Cruz 2.4%, Kristi Noem 1%, Glenn Youngkin 0.8%, Brian Kemp 0.8%, Tulsi Gabbard 0.5%, Scott Bessent 0.4%, Someone else 2.4%
  51. Mark Cuban 3.2%, Elizabeth Warren 2.0%, Roy Cooper 1.9%, Mark Kelly 1.9%, JB Pritzker 1.9%, John Fetterman 1.7%, Andy Beshear 1.7%
  52. Mark Cuban 3.8%, JB Pritzker 3.1%, Amy Klobuchar 3.0%, Wes Moore 2.4%, Jon Stewart 2.1%, John Fetterman 2.0%, Andy Beshear 2.0%, Chris Murphy 1.9%
  53. Mamdani is not eligible to serve as president as he is not a natural-born citizen.
  54. Zohran Mamdani 4%,[ba] None of the above 2.3%, Gretchen Whitmer 1.4%, Raphael Warnock 0.5%, Rahm Emanuel 0.3%
  55. Mark Cuban 3%, Gretchen Whitmer 3%, Andy Beshear 2%, JB Pritzker 2%, Chris Murphy 2%, John Fetterman 2%, Wes Moore 1%, Jasmine Crockett 1%, Jon Stewart 1%, Stephen A. Smith 1%, Raphael Warnock 1%, Rahm Emanuel *%, Jared Polis *%, Ruben Gallego *%, Someone else 2%
  56. Mark Cuban 4%, Gretchen Whitmer 3%, JB Pritzker 3%, John Fetterman 2%, Wes Moore 2%, Andy Beshear 2%, Jasmine Crockett 2%, Chris Murphy 2%, Jon Stewart 2%, Raphael Warnock 1%, Stephen A. Smith 1%, Rahm Emanuel 1%, Jared Polis *%, Ruben Gallego *%, Someone else 3%
  57. Gretchen Whitmer 4%, Amy Klobuchar 3%, Roy Cooper 2%, JB Pritzker 2%, Stephen A. Smith 2%, Jasmine Crockett 2%, Wes Moore 1%, Phil Murphy 1%, Rahm Emanuel 1%, Jared Polis 1%, Deval Patrick*, Beto O'Rourke*
  58. Wes Moore 3%, 12% some other candidate
  59. Gretchen Whitmer 5%, Wes Moore 2%, Stephen A. Smith 2%
  60. Gretchen Whitmer 7%, Wes Moore 4%, Stephen A. Smith 4%
  61. Charles Barkley 6%
  62. Bernie Sanders 5%, Gretchen Whitmer 3%, Andy Beshear 2%, JB Pritzker 2%, Wes Moore 2%, Amy Klobuchar 1%, Rahm Emanual 1%, Someone else 2%
  63. Other Democrat 33%
  64. Gretchen Whitmer 3%, Jasmine Crockett 2%, Rahm Emanuel 2%, Amy Klobuchar 2%, Roy Cooper 1%, JB Pritzker 1%, Wes Moore 1%, Stephen A. Smith 1%, Phil Murphy 1%, Jared Polis 0%, Deval Patrick *, Beto O'Rourke *
  65. Mark Cuban 4%, Gretchen Whitmer 2%, JB Pritzker 2%, Amy Klobuchar 2%, Andy Beshear 1%, Jared Polis 1%, Ruben Gallego 1%, John Fetterman 1%, Jon Ossoff 0%, Raphael Warnock 0%, Chris Murphy 0%, Wes Moore 0%
  66. Gretchen Whitmer 3.7%, Raphael Warnock 1.4%, Chris Murphy 0.4%, Ro Khanna 0.3%, Stephen A. Smith 0.3%, Andy Beshear 0.2%, Rahm Emanuel 0.2%, JB Pritzker 0.1%, None of the candidates listed 3.6%
  67. Gretchen Whitmer 3%, Amy Klobuchar 3%, JB Pritzker 2%, Jasmine Crockett 2%, Stephen A. Smith 1%, Roy Cooper 1%, Jared Polis 1%, Phil Murphy 1%
  68. JB Pritzker at 5%; Jasmine Crockett at 3%; Mark Cuban and Gretchen Whitmer at 2%; Andy Beshear, John Fetterman, Wes Moore, Chris Murphy, Jared Polis, Jon Stewart and Raphael Warnock at 1%; Ruben Gallego and Stephen A. Smith at <1%; "Someone else" at 1%
  69. 3% JB Pritzker, 2% Jasmine Crockett, 2% Roy Cooper, 2% Amy Klobuchar, 1% Gretchen Whitmer, 1% Phil Murphy, 1% Wes Moore, 1% Stephen A. Smith
  70. Elizabeth Warren 4%, JB Pritzker 3%, Wes Moore 1%, Gretchen Whitmer 1%, Andy Beshear 1%, Rahm Emanuel 1%, Mark Kelly 1%, Someone else 2%
  71. Bernie Sanders with 6%
  72. 9% for Gretchen Whitmer; 2% for Andy Beshear, Raphael Warnock, and Chris Murphy
  73. 4% for JB Pritzker and Gretchen Whitmer; 3% for Amy Klobuchar and Jon Stewart; 2% for Andy Beshear and Mark Cuban; 1% for Chris Murphy
  74. 4% for JB Pritzker and Gretchen Whitmer; 2% for Andy Beshear, Mark Cuban, Amy Klobuchar, and Jon Stewart; 1% for Chris Murphy and Wes Moore; <0.5% for Jasmine Crockett, Shawn Fain, Stephen A. Smith, and Raphael Warnock
  75. Jasmine Crockett 3%, JB Pritzker 3%, Jon Stewart 3%, and Gretchen Whitmer 3%, Wes Moore 2%, Andy Beshear 1%, Stephen A. Smith 1%, Jared Polis 1%, John Fetterman 1%, Raphael Warnock 1%, Chris Murphy 1%, Someone Else 2%
  76. 4% for Mark Kelly; 3% for Andy Beshear, Mark Cuban, JB Pritzker, and Gretchen Whitmer; 1% for Roy Cooper, John Fetterman, Ruben Gallego, Wes Moore, and Stephen A. Smith; <0.5% for Jared Polis, 6% for "Other"
  77. Bernie Sanders 8%, Mark Kelly 4%, Elizabeth Warren 2%, Gretchen Whitmer 2%, someone else 3%
  78. Mark Cuban 4%, Gretchen Whitmer 2%, JB Pritzker 2%, Andy Beshear 2%, Amy Klobuchar 2%, Chris Murphy 1%, Jared Polis 1%, John Fetterman 1%, Wes Moore 1%, Rahm Emanuel 1%, Raphael Warnock 1%, Ruben Gallego <1%, Someone else 2%
  79. Jasmine Crockett 3%, Mark Cuban 3%, JB Pritzker 2%, Gretchen Whitmer 2%, Andy Beshear 2%, Jared Polis 1%, John Fetterman 1%, Raphael Warnock 1%, Chris Murphy 1%, Jon Stewart 1%, Stephen A Smith <1%, Wes Moore <1%
  80. Someone else with 11%; Mark Cuban with 7%; Gretchen Whitmer with 4%; Andy Beshear with 3%; Wes Moore with 2%; Phil Murphy with 1%
  81. Gretchen Whitmer with 4%; Amy Klobuchar with 3%; Roy Cooper, Beto O'Rourke, and JB Pritzker with 2%; Wes Moore, Phil Murphy, Deval Patrick, and Stephen A. Smith with 1%; Jared Polis with 0%
  82. Gretchen Whitmer with 4%; Mark Cuban with 3%; Jasmine Crockett, John Fetterman, JB Pritzker, and Raphael Warnock with 2%; Andy Beshear, Ruben Gallego, and Jared Polis with 1%; Wes Moore and Stephen A. Smith with <1%; "Someone else" with 1%
  83. Amy Klobuchar & Gretchen Whitmer with 3%; Wes Moore, & Stephen A. Smith with 2%; Phil Murphy, Jared Polis, JB Pritzker, & Beto O'Rourke with 1%, Deval Patrick with <1%
  84. JB Pritzker, Gretchen Whitmer & Beto O'Rourke with 3%; Amy Klobuchar, Wes Moore, Phil Murphy & Deval Patrick with 1%; Jared Polis with <1%
  85. Gretchen Whitmer with 3%; Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders with 2%; Hakeem Jeffries, Wes Moore, JB Pritzker, Jon Stewart, and Rashida Tlaib with 1%; Andy Beshear and Mark Kelly with <1%; Someone else with 4%
  86. Gretchen Whitmer with 3%; J.B. Pritzker and Andy Beshear with 2%; Jared Polis and Wes Moore with 1%; Someone else with 1%
  87. Gretchen Whitmer with 3%; Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, and Andy Beshear with 2%; Wes Moore, JB Pritzker, and John Fetterman with 1%; "Someone else" with 3%; "Would not vote" with 6%
  88. Mark Kelly and Gretchen Whitmer with 4%; "Someone else" with 7%
  89. J. B. Pritzker and Gretchen Whitmer with 3%; John Fetterman, and Raphael Warnock with 2%; Andy Beshear and Wes Moore with 1%
  90. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 9.9%, Elizabeth Warren 5%, (Other/Undecided 33.1%)
  91. JB Pritzker with 1%; Ruben Gallego and Wes Moore with <1%; "Other" with 18%
  92. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 4.1%, Andy Beshear 3.7%, Tim Walz 3.3%, Josh Shapiro 3.2%, Gretchen Whitmer 3.2%, JB Pritzker 2.7%, Wes Moore 2.2%, Amy Klobuchar 1%, Rahm Emanuel 0.3%, Someone else 1.5%
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