Democratic presidential contenders

Democrats are beginning to lay the groundwork for possible 2028
presidential bids, with the contours of the primary race likely to
come into focus after the November 2026 midterm elections

Andy Beshear
Former attorney general
of Kentucky – now its
governor. Not well
known outside state,
and with bipartisan
approach to politics,
may not appeal to wider
Democrats
War chest: $1.2m

Pete Buttigieg
Failed to win 2020
Democratic nomination.
Was transportation
secretary under Biden.
Performs poorly with
black voters due to
scandals when mayor of
South Bend, Indiana
War chest: $5m+

Rahm Emanuel
Former ambassador to
Japan, congressman,
mayor of Chicago and
White House chief of
staff under Obama.
Seen as long-shot,
polling at 1% among
primary voters*
War chest: $8.1m

Kamala Harris
Former vice president
to Biden, she polls well
although candidates
who have previously
run and lost – as she
did to Trump in 2024 –
are often viewed
skeptically by voters
War chest: Unknown

Mark Kelly
Retired astronaut and
navy pilot, he is gun
reform lobbyist since
wife Gabby Giffords
survived assassination
attempt in 2011. May be
seen as too moderate
by some Democrats
War chest: $22m

Gavin Newsom
California governor
known for his sharp
criticisms of Trump.
His state has some of
highest petrol prices,
taxes and homelessness
rates in U.S. –
amunition to GOP
War chest: $4m+

Alexandria Ocasio-
Cortez: Country’s most
prominent progressive
and heir apparent to
movement built by
Bernie Sanders.
Republicans portray her
as leftist who supports
taxing wealthy
War chest: $28.9m

JB Pritzker
Billionaire heir to Hyatt
hotel empire and
governor of Illinois.
Known nationally for
criticising Trump’s
deployment of National
Guard troops and ICE
agents across America
War chest: $23.3m

Josh Shapiro
Former attorney general
and now governor of
Pennsylvania. Weaves
Jewish identity into his
politics, which could go
against him while
criticism of Israel
military action is high
War chest: $36m

*Trump registered 1% support among primary voters in 2016, while Bill Clinton polled below 1% before
winning presidency in 1992. Source: Reuters. Pictures: Creative Commons, Getty
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