The 2028 race is still three years out, but the engines are already revving.
Old power players, rising stars, and a few wild cards are positioning themselves in public — and in private — as the next president-in-waiting.
Kalshi and Polymarket have multiple markets about who the nominees might be. JD Vance (42%) for the GOP with a wide-open field for the Democrats.
Here’s a rundown of who’s in the news right now and what’s driving the buzz.
JD Vance
Trump’s vice president is increasingly framed as the heir to MAGA — especially now that Elon Musk is toying with the idea of replacing Trump with Vance entirely. If Trump stumbles or steps aside, Vance is the logical next man up.
Josh Hawley
Branding himself a working-class conservative, Hawley’s courting the same populist fire without the Trump baggage. He’s repositioning as the thinking man’s MAGA — a bet on post-Trump right-wing populism.
Vivek Ramaswamy
After flaming out in 2024, Ramaswamy is eyeing Ohio’s governorship. But make no mistake — he’s still in the MAGA bloodstream and not ruling out a national encore.
Pete Buttigieg
Polling at the top of early 2028 preference lists, Buttigieg is playing the long game — quietly assembling support while avoiding distractions like the Michigan Senate race. His bet? Be the centrist when the party needs one most.
Gavin Newsom
Still squabbling with Trump, but now he’s getting creative — launching a podcast that gives voice to conservatives. Newsom’s trying to look like a Democrat who listens, and he’s getting strategy tips from ex-wife Kim Guilfoyle of all people.
Ro Khanna
Methodical and media-savvy, Khanna’s pitching “economic patriotism” and debating MAGA stars like Vance at Yale. He’s building credibility across party lines — one op-ed and podcast at a time.
Gretchen Whitmer
Popular, pragmatic, and deeply Midwestern. Whitmer’s economic wins in Michigan — and her willingness to publicly clash with Trump — keep her firmly in the 2028 mix.
Gina Raimondo
Back from the Biden Cabinet and apparently hungry. She’s exploring a run and quietly making calls. No showboating, just movement.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Still polling in the top tier. She’s younger, progressive, and unafraid — but there’s an open question: will she run, or wield her influence from the sidelines?
Cory Booker
On the list, but not on the radar. He shows up in every early poll — just not at the top.
Bottom Line
The race is still informal, but the jockeying is real. The GOP looks ready to crown Vance, while Democrats are quietly deciding whether they want charisma, competence — or something entirely new.
