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- California governor Gavin Newsom (+400) is favored to be the next Democratic nominee
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (+650), Josh Shapiro (+800) and Pete Buttigieg (+1000) are other potential contenders
- President Donald Trump cannot run for re-election again in 2028 according to the U.S. constitution
While Donald Trump still has a lot of runway left to destroy the United States from within, it’s never too early to speculate on who the Democrats will run in the 2028 U.S. presidential election.
Before we take an early look at the contenders, here’s where to find the best 2025 Political Betting Sites and view all our latest free Politics betting picks.
Democratic Nominee
| Democratic Nominee |  |  |  |
| Gavin Newsom | +400 | +400 | +400 |
| Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Josh Shapiro | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Kamala Harris | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Pete Buttigieg | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| J.B. Pritzker | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Gretchen Whitmer | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Wes Moore | +1800 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Andy Beshear | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Michelle Obama | +2200 | +2200 | +2200 |
| Cory Booker | +2200 | +2200 | +2200 |
| Mark Kelly | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Tim Walz | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Mark Cuban | +2800 | +2800 | +2800 |
| Raphael Warnock | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| Barack Obama | +3300 | +3300 | +3300 |
| John Fetterman | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Stephen A. Smith | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Dwayne Johnson | +5000 | +5000 | +5000 |
Newsom or OAC?
Gavin Newsom (+400) has emerged into the national spotlight after President Trump used federal law enforcement to quell peaceful protests over immigration arrests in the state. The California governor will be term-limited out of office after the 2026 elections so he’ll be perfectly positioned to campaign during the primary. While he might be too tanned, affluent and handsome to win over the Rust Belt, Newsom is using podcasts to reach out to right wing voters of late.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (+650) is a polarizing figure whose nomination would represent a movement away from the Democratic establishment. As the heir to Bernie Sanders’ throne on the left, the 35-year-old Latina from New York City could appeal to those who want real change after four more years of Trump’s oligarchy.
If there has ever been a genuine revolutionary leader in the USA, it has got to be Alexandria Ocasio Cortez! pic.twitter.com/zyxuHrA7wZ
— THE AOC REVOLUTION (@JimC14573731) June 16, 2025
Governor contenders?
Josh Shapiro (+800) has a high approval rate in his battleground state, and many believe the Pennsylvania governor would’ve been the smarter choice as Kamala Harris’ running mate.
J.B. Pritzker (+1000) certainly has the funds to campaign for office as his family owns the Hyatt hotel chain. The Illinois governor is always up for a fight with Trump.
Gretchen Whitmer (+1200), like Shapiro, is a popular leader of a swing state. The Michigan governor brings no-nonsense Midwestern appeal.
Fun names to consider
Michelle Obama (+2200) has repeatedly ruled out running for office, saying she’d rather keep her two daughters out of the limelight.
Mark Cuban (+2800) has reportedly told friends that he would consider running against Trump if he pursued an unconstitutional third term. Unlike the President, who’s gone bankrupt more than once, the former Dallas Mavericks owner is actually a good businessman.
Stephen A. Smith (+4000) said in April that he has ‘no choice’ but to consider a run for president. The loud-mouthed sports commentator has been a vocal critic of the Democratic Party.
.@stephenasmith sits down for The Rolling Stone Interview: “I’ve Always Been Intensely Polarizing”
The ESPN commentator and host talks running for president, beefing with LeBron, and clawing his way to the top of the sports journalism heap.
Read: https://t.co/2jNk6lh6qc pic.twitter.com/uZabYmDYlq
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) June 18, 2025
Best bet
While other contenders could stiil emerge out of nowhere in the next three years, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (+650) is the best and most realistic option for both the Democratic party and a country that desperately needs better healthcare, education and social programs for its people.
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