The 2028 presidential race may be years away, but the political winds are already shifting, and the Democratic field is buzzing with a new kind of openness. Gone are the days when would-be candidates tiptoed around their ambitions, dodging direct questions and hiding behind the pretense of supporting others. Instead, a growing number of prominent Democrats are speaking candidly about their intentions, embracing authenticity in a political era where voters demand it more than ever.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker set the tone during a recent swing through New Hampshire, a traditional hotspot for presidential hopefuls. When pressed by Fox News about his plans, Booker didn’t mince words. 22Of course I27m thinking about it. I haven27t ruled it out,22 he said, while also noting his current focus on his 2026 reelection campaign. His frankness was a far cry from the usual political hedging. As Booker put it, 22I27d be lying otherwise. I27d just be lying and I can27t do that.22
California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed this sentiment in an interview with CBS, admitting that he hasn’t ruled out a presidential run after the midterms next year. 22I27d be lying otherwise,22 Newsom confessed, making it clear that honesty is now the order of the day for some in the Democratic Party.
They’re not alone. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, former Chicago Mayor and White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and Hawaii Governor Josh Green have all signaled, to varying degrees, that they’re eyeing the 2028 race. As reported by the Associated Press, the Democratic field is wide open, with no clear party leader emerging in late November 2025. This openness is a marked departure from the old playbook, where potential candidates would often crisscross the country on behalf of others, all the while feigning disinterest in higher office.
Not everyone is ready to lay their cards on the table, however. Of the dozen potential Democratic candidates contacted by the Associated Press for interviews on the changing dynamic, none was immediately available. Some, like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have remained coy. During a recent on-stage interview with journalist Kara Swisher, Pritzker repeatedly dodged questions about his timeline for a possible presidential run, prompting Swisher to respond with a pointed 22Blah, blah,22 as he shifted the conversation to the strength of the Democratic bench. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has also been circumspect, refusing to discuss White House ambitions or even commit to another gubernatorial run, despite speculation swirling around him. Yet, when appearing on 22The Breakfast Club22 podcast and reflecting on a recent arson attack on his official residence, Shapiro sounded like someone who’s not ready to step away from public life. 22I love public service,22 he said. 22You can27t walk away now, with everything that27s on the line. 26hellip; This is not a time to quit.22
Republicans, meanwhile, are playing a very different game. With former President Donald Trump casting a long shadow over the GOP, potential Republican candidates are keeping their heads down. According to the Associated Press, there’s an expectation that Trump will play kingmaker, heavily influencing who gets to run for the party in 2028. As a result, Republican hopefuls are far less visible, preferring to bide their time rather than risk running afoul of the former president.
Political strategists say this new Democratic openness makes sense. Jess O27Connell, a Democratic strategist who advised Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 campaign, told the Associated Press, 22Old rules just don’t apply to anything anymore.22 She believes the change is healthy for the party. 22You27ve got to be out there every single day fighting and sharing your vision. And I think the more runway they have to talk to people in this moment and to communicate about meeting the needs of the future, then the better.22
Alex Conant, a veteran of several Republican presidential campaigns, including those of Marco Rubio and Tim Pawlenty, noted that the lack of a clear Democratic front-runner has dramatically changed the calculus for would-be candidates. 22I think the Democratic primary is going to be the longest primary of our life. It’s hard to recall a field that is this wide open. And the Democratic base is so hungry for someone to take on Trump and win back the White House,22 Conant said. 22The more crowded it is, the more important it is to start early.22 He also pointed out that candidates become 22immediately more relevant if you might be the next president,22 which only increases the incentive to be upfront about their ambitions.
Another factor driving this shift is the public’s growing distaste for political double-talk. As Conant observed, 22One of the takeaways from Trump is that people want authenticity. Voters are rejecting candidates who sound like politicians, so the rhetorical tricks that politicians have used for decades to avoid answering questions now just irritate voters.22
Still, there are risks involved in this new, more candid approach. Mike DuHaime, a longtime GOP strategist who’s advised presidential campaigns for Chris Christie and John McCain, cautions that candidates must strike a careful balance. If they’re seen as too focused on their own ambitions, they risk alienating voters and distracting from crucial midterm races. DuHaime told the Associated Press, 22I think it makes sense not to be so coy because people kind of get it, but they still should be careful about putting themselves in front of the country cause it could backfire.22 He added, 22They have to be careful that they still look a little bit like team players.22
There’s also the challenge of fulfilling current obligations. Many of those eyeing the White House in 2028 have demanding day jobs as governors or senators. Jess O27Connell pointed out that while going toe-to-toe with Trump can raise a candidate’s profile, it could also bring unwanted consequences for their home states if the Republican president retaliates. 22You have to fulfill your obligations to the states that you’re in,22 she said. 22It’s not so much that you’re playing a game, it’s that I think that there are some practical considerations.22
O27Connell even suggested that Democrats adopt what she called a 22Beyonce-Taylor Swift strategy,22 referencing the pop stars’ ability to boost local economies wherever they perform. 22What I would advise anyone who wants to be president in 2028,22 she said, 22is to roll up your sleeves and help.22
For some, the national spotlight is simply too enticing to pass up. As DuHaime put it, 22It’s very intriguing and exciting for candidates and would-be candidates to be asked. Let’s go experience it, the national circus. Let’s be part of that.22
The next few years promise to be a test of both ambition and discipline for Democrats. As the 2028 race inches closer, those vying for the nation’s highest office will have to walk a tightrope: be authentic and visible, but not so self-focused that they lose sight of their current responsibilities or the needs of their constituents. The old rules may be out the window, but the stakes have never been higher.
