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- What: 2028 US Presidential Democratic Nominee Primary
- When: Early to Mid-2028
The 2028 Democratic primary is shaping up to be a crowded contest. No candidate has officially declared yet. However, several leading contenders have emerged in early polling and positioning.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has emerged as the frontrunner. In addition to most sportsbooks, Reuters and Associated Press have tabbed him as the favorite. Newsom’s ability to raise his national profile by aggressively trolling Trump on social media has given him the lead in this race.
Following Newsom on the odds boards is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She’s the progressive favorite, while former Vice President Kamala Harris remains a formidable presence after her 2024 nomination. Several dark horses could shake up the race.
Rep. Ro Khanna has hinted at possible interest during a New Hampshire visit. Senator Jon Ossoff gained attention after fiery speeches targeting Trump’s cabinet. Most candidates will likely announce after the 2026 midterms.
Before we take an early look at the contenders, here’s where to find the best 2026 Political Betting Sites and view all our latest free Politics betting picks.
US Presidential Democratic Nominee 2028
Gavin Newsom
Newsome is the favorite in this 2028 primary field. His aggressive stance against Trump has energized the Democratic base. His strengths are clear. He governs the nation’s most populous state. He has proven fundraising ability and strong nationwide name recognition. His response to the June 2025 Los Angeles protests helped boost his chances of being nominated.
“Democracy is under assault."
California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused Trump of misusing his power and warned the rest of the country to prepare for unrest as LA imposes a curfew after protests over immigration raids https://t.co/PgawJNXQdf pic.twitter.com/CC9BhbbDBG
— Bloomberg (@business) June 11, 2025
That said, Newsom faces real obstacles. California’s cost-of-living crisis could be a liability. Republicans will undoubtedly tie him to the state’s homelessness and crime issues. He has to navigate a delicate balancing act. Progressive voters may find him too centrist. Moderate voters may see him as too Californian.
Newsom is also one of several moderates in this race, which could split his vote share. At this price, I would pass on Newsom.
AOC
Ocasio-Cortez is weighing both a presidential and Senate run in 2028. She has not made a firm decision about her future. But her rising profile makes her a serious contender for the nomination.
She is polling very high among Democrats, and former Sanders aides see her as an heir who could expand progressive appeal. AOC raised more than $15 million in 2025, with the majority from small-dollar donors. She seems poised to dominate among progressive and younger voters.
AOC: Oligarchy or Democracy… but we cannot have both.
Los Angeles, I’ve made my choice. We must fight the oligarchy that has created this nightmare. That is why I have never taken money from lobbyists or corporations and it’s why I never will. pic.twitter.com/zalUt0FJSb
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 12, 2025
Her “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Sanders drew huge crowds nationwide. One poll showed her narrowly beating JD Vance in a hypothetical matchup. Still, she faces significant hurdles. She would be only 39 on Election Day, unusually young for a nominee. She may instead challenge Chuck Schumer for his Senate seat.
That decision is what will shift these numbers, because at +800 odds this feels like tremendous value. I am not passing up on that value.
Kamala Harris
Although Harris has not committed to running, she has repeatedly declined to rule it out. In February 2026, she said openly that she “might” run again. Her ambiguity has kept her at the center of the conversation.
Her name recognition from 2024, along with her strong polling, gives her a great start. However, Harris carries significant baggage. She would be the first person since Trump to run again after losing as a nominee. Many party leaders and donors worry she cannot win a general election.
“Harris’ uninspired Headquarters gambit does not signal much about her future political ambitions, but it does underscore a Democratic Party that still conflates youth organizing with digital content creation.”
My latest for @MSNOWNews. https://t.co/ivxEfUMeU9
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) February 8, 2026
I am one of those who don’t believe she can win a general election. I don’t understand this price, so I’m passing on Harris.
Jon Ossof
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff went viral in February 2026 with a fiery anti-Trump speech. He called Trump a “spiritually broken president” at a church in Atlanta. He brings some unique strengths to a potential run. At 38, he offers generational change while already holding statewide office.
He represents Georgia, one of the most critical swing states in the country. However, his name recognition outside of the state remains very low. A decisive Georgia victory could launch him into the top tier overnight.
Jon Ossoff: “Don’t indulge the illusion of powerlessness. They want you to feel powerless. They want you to believe all is lost. They want you to think that as citizens raising your voices doesn’t make a difference because they’ll just do whatever they want and it’s not true” pic.twitter.com/dvU69NrXz3
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) March 19, 2026
At +1400, you’re getting a great price. This is one I could easily see rise in price. I’m jumping on the Ossoff train before it gets too crowded.
Ro Khanna
Khanna’s advocacy on the Jeffrey Epstein files catapulted him onto the national stage. He read the names of powerful redacted individuals on the House floor. Khanna has amassed a $13.4 million war chest for a potential run. He said he would decide after the midterms whether to run.
⭕️ Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) is urging the Democratic National Committee to release its full 2024 election autopsy report, saying Democrats must “deal with the hard truths about how our failure to stop the genocide in Gaza cost us support.” https://t.co/DeCWmuaMe6
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) February 24, 2026
Some Democratic strategists consider him a long-shot candidate. He remains largely unknown outside Washington and Silicon Valley. A progressive aligned with Bernie Sanders, he co-chaired Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign. He ranks well below frontrunners, but his path widens significantly if AOC opts for a Senate run instead. That scenario leaves the progressive lane wide open.
I love this price of +2500; you’re getting an insane amount of value and a hedge against AOC. I’m making this wager.
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