Mark Kelly Tops 2028 Democratic Field in 3rd Ranking as Newsom, Shapiro Also Stand Out
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 1
Mark Kelly Tops 2028 Democratic Field in 3rd Ranking as Newsom, Shapiro Also Stand Out
6 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 1
Mark Kelly led the outlet’s third ranking of potential 2028 Democratic contenders, with Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro grouped as the early standouts in a primary that still has no declared candidates or clear front-runner.
The ranking points to Kelly’s swing-state profile, fundraising strength and astronaut biography, while Newsom’s anti-Trump messaging and Shapiro’s Pennsylvania base and midterm role bolster their positioning.
Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg and Gretchen Whitmer landed in the middle tier, reflecting name recognition and political strengths but also doubts about viability, lack of office or mixed signals about running.
The wider field stretches from governors JB Pritzker, Wes Moore and Andy Beshear to senators including Cory Booker, Elissa Slotkin and Jon Ossoff, plus dark horses such as Rahm Emanuel and even celebrity Stephen A. Smith.
The list underscores how the 2028 Democratic contest is already taking shape as an unusually open shadow campaign, with party strategists still leaving room for an unexpected entrant.
How will the party's new focus on rural voters shape the 2028 candidate field?