As the 2024 presidential race comes to a close with a donald trump victory that could well signal a realignment of the American electorate, the Democratic Party It will likely be forced to rethink its strategy, policies and values ​​in the coming years.

After an election night that only brought bad news for Kamala Harris, the associated press declared Trump the winner of the race overnight after reaching the 270 Electoral College votes needed to return to the White House. At the time of this article’s publication, Trump had 277 Electoral College votes and 51.0 percent of the vote to Harris’ 224 Electoral College votes and 47.5 percent of the vote.

While it is too early to say what will happen in the next four years and in 2028, it is worth thinking about who will be the figure who embodies this change for democratstrying to organize the return of a party that is now licking its wounds.

Here is a list of possible Democratic presidential candidates in 2028, based on names that emerged when the president joe biden withdrew from the race earlier this year and other high-profile Democrats.

While Harris could try again to win the presidency in 2028, we are not including her in the list below because, for the moment, we believe her candidacy would be unlikely after the tough loss in this election.

Gavin Newsom

The 57-year-old California governor has spent years seeking a national stage, and after Biden’s poor performance during his only debate against Trump earlier this year, he was rumored to be a potential candidate for the presidential nomination. While Newsom did not put his name forward and endorsed Harris as the Democratic candidate, the ambitious two-time governor is still considered likely to reach the White House at some point in his career.

In California, Newsom has been known for his progressive policies on gun control and environmental issues, although he recently abandoned some of his more progressive policy stances to appeal to undecided voters and try to solve current challenges such as the state’s growing homelessness. Golden.

Although his popularity has increased nationally in recent years, Californians have become somewhat resentful of his leadership, especially as they are concerned about the state’s large budget deficit. A poll conducted by the Berkeley Institute of Government Studies in January found that 47 percent of California registered voters disapproved of Newsom’s leadership, while 46 percent approved.

Gretchen Whitmer

The 53-year-old Michigan governor found himself in virtually the same position as Newsom after the catastrophic Biden vs. Trump presidential debate. Like Newsom, Whitmer was rumored to be a good candidate to replace Biden, but quickly said she would not seek the nomination and would instead support Harris.

Whitmer gained national attention thanks to her strict lockdown guidelines during the COVID-19 health emergency. She is also known for being an advocate for stricter gun safety legislation and abortion rights. As governor of a key state, Whitmer appeals to both the moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party and could be seen as a candidate who could attract support from independents and undecideds.

Wes Moore

The 46-year-old Maryland governor, the third Black governor elected in the country, was a fierce supporter of Biden after the infamous first presidential debate, trying to galvanize Black voters to vote Democratic.

Moore has attracted national attention after pardoning 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions in Maryland, in what he called “the most comprehensive state-level pardon ever seen in any state in American history.”

While he was also talked about as a possible replacement for Biden, Moore strongly stated at the time that he would not have sought the nomination. As the nation’s youngest Democratic governor, Moore could have the potential to rejuvenate the Democratic Party’s electorate and appeal to Black voters who lost to Trump in the 2024 election.

Pete Buttigieg

The 42-year-old former naval officer and one of the Democratic Party’s biggest and brightest young stars has been considered the most influential figure in Joe Biden’s cabinet. As transportation secretary, Buttigieg has faced a series of thorny crises over the past four years, including several strikes and incidents, which drew harsh criticism from the administration. republican party and even an attempted impeachment.

Despite these difficulties, Buttigieg has maintained his popularity among Democrats and is a well-known figure nationally thanks to his appearances on fox news and conservative news channels, which have known him as a great communicator and representative of the party.

As an openly gay politician, Buttigieg would also represent a change for the Democratic Party that would be welcomed by its more progressive factions.

jose shapiro

Shapiro, a beloved figure in a swing state who endorsed Trump this year, could also represent a strong candidate in the 2028 presidential election. Harris was reportedly considering the 51-year-old Pennsylvania governor as her running mate. formula for the presidential candidacy, but it was said that he was too ambitious and too burdensome a political figure to be chosen by the vice president.

As a moderate who has been valuing social justice and defending democracy, Shapiro could appeal to both Democrats and the marginalized. republicans concerned about Trump’s electoral denialism.

JB Pritzker

The 59-year-old Illinois governor, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel empire, could easily fund a White House campaign, and there were signs after Biden’s disastrous debate earlier this year that he was prepared to give one step forward. the national scene.

Pritzker is best known for signing a landmark bill that will raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 an hour by 2025, for his action to hold gun manufacturers accountable for gun violence caused by unsafe marketing practices, and for standing up for the right to abortion in the state. . This year, the governor signed several bills expanding reproductive rights in Illinois, and his nonprofit group, Think Big America, worked to help states with an abortion rights ballot question advance their initiatives. .

These (gun safety, minimum wages and abortion rights) are issues that are likely to appeal to Democratic voters nationally.

Ruben Gallego

Gallego, another young rising star of the Democratic Party, could be a wild card for the 2028 presidential race. The 44-year-old Arizona representative is now running for state representative. Senate against Trump backed kari lakean election denier who lost the gubernatorial race to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2022.

As a former Marine, Gallego has great influence among veterans and working-class families; a portion of the Democratic electorate should work hard to recover. The congressman can also count on the support of Latino voters, a growing force in the swing state of Arizona and who is expected to have great weight in future presidential elections.

Gallego is also fierce in his attacks against the MAGA movement and would be a good candidate against a potential vice president-elect candidacy. J. D. Vanceas a possible race between the two would see a showdown between two young, well-spoken nominees.