Ranking the Democratic 2028 presidential contenders

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Trending on The Hill - September 4, 2026

Trending on The Hill - September 4, 2026

Democrats are already looking beyond November’s midterms to the 2028 presidential contest — and they like what they see.

For now, Republicans are weighed down by President Trump’s low approval ratings and broader voter concerns about the economy.

Democrats guess whoever becomes the GOP nominee in 2028 will suffer from the president’s liabilities without being able to replicate his visceral connection to the MAGA base.

There is no runaway contender for the Democratic nomination, however. That’s a factor encouraging numerous potential contenders to think about a run.

It could be a large field in 2028, and there are a number of credible candidates who could top any list of contenders at this early stage.  

Here are The Hill’s current rankings.

1. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY)

The notion of a successful bid for the nomination from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) becomes more real by the day.

Ideological opponents often disparage the chances of a 36-year-old, leftist Latina from New York becoming a winning candidate nationwide.

But that underestimates the panoply of political strengths that AOC, as she is widely known, brings.

She is far and away the most charismatic candidate of the left, which is enjoying a surge of momentum within the Democratic Party. 

Her capacity to connect with voters in unusual ways has been shown yet again in recent weeks, especially through her regular video updates about her decision to begin freezing her eggs.

Ocasio-Cortez, a far more astute strategist than she is often given credit for, is plainly positioning herself for a bid. 

Her blithe dismissal of “woke 1” as “crazy” during an ABC News interview last month seemed designed to inoculate her from criticism about the perceived excesses of that agenda.

She is shaking up her team, with the departure of her longtime campaign manager.

And even small habits, like her propensity to take random on-camera questions from reporters as she walks near the steps of the Capitol, keep her central to the conversation.

It’s still quite possible that Ocasio-Cortez chooses to stay in the House or challenges Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in a primary rather than seek the White House.

But if she runs, it will be a real struggle for anyone to beat her in a Democratic primary.

2. California Gov. Gavin Newsom

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is Ocasio-Cortez’s most obvious competitor for front-runner status.

The governor of the nation’s most populous state has been open about his interest in seeking the top office. 

He has battled Trump both in public remarks and in regular jabs on social media. 

On a more substantive level, California has been in the vanguard of attempts by Democratic states to stymie Trump’s agenda in the courts.

Newsom........

© The Hill