Raimondo Rules Out 2028 White House Bid, Backs Open Democratic Primary After 2026 Midterms
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 9
Raimondo Rules Out 2028 White House Bid, Backs Open Democratic Primary After 2026 Midterms
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 9
Summary
Gina Raimondo said she will not run for president in 2028, stepping back from a potential White House bid and declining to back any specific Democratic contender.
2028 timing drove the decision: she called the race “a very, very long time away” and said Democrats should first get through the November 2026 midterm elections.
An open primary is her preferred path, with governors Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro and Andy Beshear, senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg widely seen as possible candidates.
Raimondo tied that view to party strategy, saying Democrats had drifted from “meat and potatoes” concerns and should refocus on rebuilding the middle class and helping Americans pay their bills.