Former Vice President Kamala Harris is facing another embarrassing political setback, and this time, the trouble is coming from within her own party.
As Democrats begin looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election, a new straw poll suggests that some of the party’s most enthusiastic progressive activists are ready to embrace a different candidate.
And the politician generating the most excitement isn’t California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, or even progressive firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
It’s Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
The results are particularly striking for Harris, who received just six votes out of nearly 1,000 cast at a major progressive political gathering.
For the former vice president, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, the disappointing showing raises fresh questions about her political future.
Kamala Harris Suffers Major Setback in 2028 Democratic Straw Poll
The surprising results came from Crooked Con, a progressive political convention held in Washington, D.C., where attendees were asked to identify their preferred Democratic presidential candidate for 2028.
Ossoff dominated the informal survey, receiving 38.4% support from the 990 participants.
Ocasio-Cortez finished a distant second with 16.6%, followed by Buttigieg with approximately 14%.
Other well-known Democrats struggled to generate enthusiasm.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro each received roughly 4% support.
Newsom, who has frequently been discussed as a possible Democratic presidential contender, managed just 2.3%.
But Harris experienced one of the most disappointing results of the entire survey.
The former vice president received only 0.6% support, placing her in a tie for 16th place with Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin.
That means just six of the 990 participants selected Harris as their preferred candidate.
Although the straw poll represents only a small, self-selected group of progressive activists, the results suggest that enthusiasm for another Harris presidential campaign is far from universal.
Democrats Appear Interested in a New Political Leader
Harris’s disappointing performance highlights a growing question facing the Democratic Party: Who should lead the party into the next presidential election?
Following her defeat against Trump in 2024, Democrats have spent considerable time debating how to rebuild their national political coalition.
Some believe the party needs a younger generation of leaders capable of connecting with voters in competitive states.
Others remain supportive of established political figures with national experience and strong fundraising networks.
Ossoff’s overwhelming victory at Crooked Con suggests that at least some progressive activists see the Georgia senator as a promising alternative.
His political appeal has received additional attention following his decisive reelection victory over Republican Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia.
The result demonstrated Ossoff’s ability to win a major election in a state that supported Trump during the 2024 presidential contest.
That accomplishment could become an important selling point for Democrats searching for a presidential candidate with demonstrated appeal in a competitive political environment.
However, winning an activist straw poll and winning a nationwide presidential primary are two very different challenges.
Who Is Jon Ossoff, Democrats’ New Presidential Favorite?
At 39 years old, Ossoff represents a younger generation of Democratic politicians who could play a significant role in the party’s future.
First elected to the United States Senate in 2021, the Georgia Democrat has built his political career in a state that has become increasingly competitive in national elections.
His reelection victory in 2026 strengthened his position within the Democratic Party and attracted additional national attention.
Political analysts have also pointed to his communication skills and ability to appeal to different factions of the Democratic electorate.
But Ossoff does not agree with every major proposal supported by the party’s progressive wing.
He has opposed Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, two policies strongly associated with the Democratic left.
He has also rejected proposals to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and expand the number of Supreme Court justices.
Those positions distinguish him from some of the party’s more progressive politicians.
For Democrats seeking a candidate capable of attracting moderates and independent voters, that political positioning could prove appealing.
At the same time, it raises questions about whether Ossoff could maintain strong support among progressive activists during a competitive presidential primary.
Ossoff Has One Big Problem With the 2028 Presidential Speculation
Despite the excitement surrounding his political future, Ossoff has repeatedly indicated that he has no intention of running for president in 2028.
The Georgia senator has emphasized his commitment to serving the full six-year Senate term he was elected to complete.
He has also publicly dismissed speculation about launching a White House campaign.
That creates an unusual situation for Democrats.
One of the most popular potential candidates among attendees at this progressive convention is someone who says he does not want the job.
Of course, presidential speculation often begins years before candidates make official announcements.
Political circumstances can change, and prominent elected officials sometimes reconsider their plans as an election approaches.
For now, however, there is no announced Ossoff presidential campaign.
His strong performance in the straw poll reflects enthusiasm among attendees rather than a formal decision to seek the Democratic nomination.
Kamala Harris Still Has Support Among Democratic Voters
While Harris performed poorly at Crooked Con, broader national polling paints a different picture.
The RealClearPolitics Democratic presidential polling average for surveys conducted between late August and early November 2026 showed Harris leading the potential 2028 field with approximately 21.8% support.
Buttigieg followed with 14%, while Newsom received 13.5%.
Ocasio-Cortez stood at 12.5%, with Ossoff at 10.8%.
Those figures suggest that Harris continues to maintain significant recognition and support among Democratic voters nationwide.
The difference between the national polling average and the Crooked Con results is important.
A straw poll conducted at a political convention measures the preferences of the people who participate in that particular event. It does not represent a scientific survey of the entire Democratic electorate.
Nevertheless, the results may offer an early indication of which candidates are generating excitement among politically engaged activists.
And for Harris, receiving just six votes at a gathering of progressive Democrats is unlikely to be viewed as an encouraging development.
Democrats Face Difficult Questions Ahead of 2028
The emerging Democratic presidential field could create significant disagreements over the party’s future direction.
Potential contenders represent different political backgrounds, governing philosophies, and approaches to national issues.
Those differences could become particularly important when Democrats begin debating economic policy, immigration enforcement, government spending, and the role of the federal government.
Ossoff’s political positions may appeal to Democrats who want to compete more aggressively for moderate voters.
Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, represents a more progressive approach that emphasizes ambitious federal programs and major changes to existing economic policies.
Harris and Newsom bring national political recognition, but both would face questions about their records and their ability to build winning electoral coalitions.
For Republican voters watching these developments, the eventual Democratic nominee will help determine the major political debates heading into the 2028 election.
Issues such as inflation, border security, taxes, retirement security, and the national economy are likely to remain central concerns for many Americans.
The Democratic Party’s choice of candidate could influence how those issues are discussed throughout the campaign.
Is Kamala Harris Losing Her Grip on the Democratic Party?
Harris has not announced whether she intends to seek the presidency again.
But her poor performance in this progressive straw poll demonstrates that some Democratic activists are already looking beyond the party’s previous presidential nominee.
Ossoff’s commanding lead also shows how quickly a successful election campaign can elevate a politician’s national profile.
Just days after securing another Senate term, the Georgia Democrat is attracting serious attention as a possible future presidential contender.
That enthusiasm does not guarantee he will enter the race, much less win the nomination.
Nor does Harris’s disappointing straw poll performance mean her political career is over.
But the contrast between the two politicians is difficult to ignore.
One received overwhelming support from progressive convention participants, while the other barely registered.
The bigger question now is whether Democrats will ultimately turn to a younger political figure like Ossoff or give Harris another opportunity to lead the party in a presidential election.
With 2028 approaching, that decision could shape the Democratic Party’s direction for years to come.