Pete Buttigieg Leads Potential 2028 Democratic Presidential Field in New Poll
The new poll shows increasing interest in Buttigieg and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as Democratic presidential nominees in 2028.
Feature Image: Pete Buttigieg; photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images
Out former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is currently the frontrunner in a hypothetical Democratic presidential primary.
Released by Emerson College Polling on Thursday, a new survey found that the history-making gay politician beats a crowded field of potential choices offered to participants, holding 18% of support.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom came in second with 16%, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez received 11%, and 2024 Democratic nominee former Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro both received 10%. Kentucky’s Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear received 9%.
The Hill reports that the new polling shows an increase in favorability for Buttigieg and Ocasio-Cortez. The outlet notes that both Harris and Newsom have seen their support decrease a little.
Buttigieg has been coy about his presidential ambitions. He notably decided to sit out a Senate run in Michigan, the state he currently lives in, which sparked rumors of a 2028 run for president. He won the Iowa Caucuses when he ran for the nomination in 2020, becoming the first out LGBTQ+ person to win a presidential contest. He also became the first out presidential cabinet member sworn in by the Senate in U.S. history.
“When you ran for president, you met me and we went up to a well-publicized lunch at Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem. Just so my calendar is clear. Should I be reserving a table at Sylvia’s? Are you going to run again?” Rev. Al Sharpton asked Buttigieg at a conference last month, The Hill reports.
Buttigieg replied: “You save me a seat, I’ll be there.”
Newsom had been considered the previous frontrunner for some time, given his profile across the country and his notable fights with President Donald Trump.
Additionally, Harris has mentioned that she might run again.
Ocasio-Cortez earlier this month also addressed the 2028 election. “They assume that my ambition is a title or a seat, and my ambition is way bigger than that. My ambition is to change this country,” she said, according to The Hill.
Vice President JD Vance received 36% of support from survey respondents out of the Republican choices. Secretary of State Marco Rubio received 35%.
