Democrats plan to lose again in 2028 it appears.
A new national poll shows former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is now the top pick for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination—even as the party struggles to regroup after Kamala Harris’s 2024 loss to President Donald Trump.
The survey, conducted by highly-rated pollster AtlasIntel between May 21 and May 27, sampled 3,469 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of ±2 percentage points.
Among likely Democratic voters, 31.5% chose Buttigieg as their top choice for 2028. Far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez followed with 19.4%, while Harris, who failed to stop Trump’s re-election, received 16.6% support.
Other names polled include:
- Senator Cory Booker – 10.4%
- Governor Gavin Newsom (CA) – 7.1%
- Governor Josh Shapiro (PA) – 4.8%
- Governor Gretchen Whitmer (MI) – 3.7%
These early numbers paint a picture of a party deeply divided, with internal battles between radical progressives and establishment Democrats. Many voters still view the party as rudderless after Trump’s historic comeback.
GOP Field: JD Vance Emerges as 2028 Frontrunner
On the Republican side, support for President Trump’s America First vision remains strong. Vice President JD Vance is the leading pick with 37.3%, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio (18.7%), Donald Trump Jr. (8.8%), and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (7%).
Notably, 15.6% of Republican respondents chose “none of the above,” indicating a hunger for fresh, bold leadership that will protect traditional American values.
Midterm Outlook: Voter Sentiment Divided
When asked who they’d support if the midterm elections were held today:
- 50.9% said they’d vote Democrat
- 41.7% would vote Republican
- 7.1% were undecided
- 0.4% said they would not vote
The polling numbers reflect an electorate still grappling with the fallout from the last election cycle and looking ahead to 2026 and beyond.
Buttigieg and Harris Hint at Future Plans
Buttigieg, speaking in a May 13 interview, remained vague about a run, stating, “The process can lead you to surprising places.” Harris, meanwhile, offered generic remarks about staying “in touch with the community” during a visit to wildfire-impacted areas in California.
What Comes Next?
Most likely candidates won’t announce until after the 2026 midterms, but early signs suggest the 2028 presidential election will be a defining battle over the future of the country. With President Trump back in the White House and JD Vance gaining momentum, conservatives are energized. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party continues to struggle with its identity, torn between its radical base and mainstream America.