2028 presidential contenders: Who will Democrats, Republicans pick after midterm election results?
Midterms reaction: Power shift on Capitol Hill
Democrats have won control of Congress in a widespread repudiation of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, a drubbing that reached deep into reliable GOP territory. Democrats flipped at least seven Senate seats in ruby-red states and battlegrounds alike.
The 2026 midterm elections have altered the balance of power in Washington, with Democrats regaining control of both chambers of Congress and potential 2028 presidential contenders receiving renewed attention.
While the 2028 presidential race is still in its early stages and no major candidates have officially launched campaigns yet, here are several potential contenders who are already attracting attention.
Democrats
Jon Ossoff
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff is emerging as one of the Democratic Party's most closely watched potential presidential contenders after securing a victory in his Senate re-election bid.
The 39-year-old reportedly won 59% of the vote, further strengthening his standing within the party. His electoral success also fueled speculation about a potential 2028 campaign, with prediction market platform Polymarket placing his chances of winning the Democratic presidential nomination at 24%.
Ossoff has gained national attention for his criticism of Trump, whom he described as a "lame duck president" following the midterm results, according to the Washington Post.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., also strengthened her position following a re-election victory.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks on stage on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. (Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
The 37-year-old progressive, widely known as AOC, won more than 78% of the vote in New York's 14th Congressional District, with 96% of ballots counted, according to the provided election results. Her success reportedly helped increase her odds of securing the Democratic presidential nomination to 15% on Polymarket.
Gavin Newsom
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has long been considered a potential Democratic presidential contender, with his frequent criticism of Trump and national media presence helping raise his profile.
RELATED: Midterms mark historic firsts across several states and the nation
The 59-year-old governor previously dominated prediction markets, with his odds of becoming the Democratic nominee reportedly reaching 40% in November 2025.
His political future could become clearer following the end of his tenure as California governor. Newsom is term-limited and cannot seek another term in 2026. In September, he said his children would have the final say on whether he pursues a presidential campaign in 2028, according to Politico.
Abdul El-Sayed
Abdul El-Sayed is projected to become one of the new voices in the Democratic Party following his victory in Michigan's Senate race. His election will make him the first Muslim senator in U.S. history, marking a historic milestone for the chamber.
Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan senate race
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat Tuesday, according to media projections, making history as the first Muslim elected to the Senate. His victory also keeps a key Democratic seat in the party’s fight for control of the chamber. The closely contested race marked a major win for the party’s progressive wing and prevented Republicans from flipping the seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
El-Sayed has attracted national attention with a progressive platform. His ability to build support beyond the progressive base could influence his prospects in a potential 2028 campaign.
Kamala Harris
Former Vice President Kamala Harris could also seek another opportunity to become president after losing the 2024 election to Trump.
Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee in Aug. 2024 after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race amid mounting concerns about his age and ability to serve another term.
Her campaign was unusual in that she became the party's nominee without competing in the traditional presidential primary process. She had just 107 days to campaign before Election Day.
A potential second campaign would give Harris another opportunity to make her case to voters, although questions about her 2024 loss and the party's future direction could complicate a bid.
Josh Shapiro
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is another Democrat whose name has surfaced in conversations about the next presidential race.
The governor, who won reelection Tuesday, has built a reputation as a pragmatic Democrat in a key battleground state. Shapiro was also considered a potential running mate for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, further raising his national profile.
Republicans
The Republican Party will also face a major succession question in 2028, as Trump will be constitutionally barred from seeking another term. Several prominent Republicans are already being discussed as potential successors, although none has formally announced a presidential campaign.
JD Vance
Vice President JD Vance is widely viewed as one of the leading potential Republican candidates for 2028 and a possible heir to Trump's political movement.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance takes questions from reporters during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on October 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
A former U.S. senator from Ohio, Vance has become one of the administration's most visible figures since taking office in January 2025. His close alignment with Trump could help him secure support from the president's political base, particularly if Trump ultimately endorses him.
Marco Rubio
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is another prominent name being discussed as a possible Republican presidential contender.
RELATED: LIVE: 2026 Midterm Election results
The former Florida senator and 2016 presidential candidate has experience in national politics and foreign policy, potentially making him a potential option for Republicans seeking a more traditional conservative candidate.
Ron DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could also emerge as a contender for the Republican nomination.
DeSantis previously challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 before suspending his campaign and endorsing the former president.
His experience governing Florida could provide a foundation for another presidential campaign. His second and final term as governor ends in January 2027, giving him time to consider a potential 2028 bid.
What else will be on the ballot in 2028?
Dig deeper:
The 2028 presidential election will also determine the balance of power in Congress.
A total of 34 U.S. Senate seats and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be up for election in Nov. 2028. The Senate races will include 19 seats currently held by Republicans and 15 held by Democrats.
The Source: The information for this story was provided by Ballotpedia, Polymarket, The Associated Press, The Washington Post and previous FOX Local reporting. This story was reported from Los Angeles.