The sitting vice president and presumed Republican frontrunner. He has acknowledged he is considering 2028 and made an early-state trip to Iowa in 2026.
Updated October 12, 2026
Who is running for president in 2028?
No major candidate has officially declared yet. In national primary polls, Kamala Harris leads the Democrats and JD Vance leads the Republicans. These are the front-runners right now:
Democratspoll median
All Democratic primary polls →Republicanspoll median
All Republican primary polls →Prediction markets Live
Who the betting markets favor to win the 2028 election
Live odds to win the presidency, averaged across Polymarket, Kalshi and PredictIt (updated Oct 12, 11:13 PM ET). This far out, they mostly reflect name recognition rather than a forecast.
- 1JD VanceRLikely20.1%
- 2Jon OssoffDNot running13.1%
- 3Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDLikely12.7%
- 4Gavin NewsomDLikely9.4%
- 5Marco RubioRNot running8.8%
- 6Kamala HarrisDLikely4.4%
- 7Pete ButtigiegDLikely3.4%
- 8Josh ShapiroDLikely3.1%
- 9Andy BeshearDPossible2.8%
- 10Ron DeSantisRLikely2.3%
- 11Mark KellyDPossible2.3%
- 12Donald TrumpRNot running1.9%
- 13James TalaricoI1.5%
- 14J.B. PritzkerDPossible1.4%
- 15Tucker CarlsonR1.3%
- 16Wes MooreDPossible1.2%
- 17Rahm EmanuelDPossible1.1%
- 18Ro KhannaDPossible1%
- 19Thomas MassieR1%
Source: average of Polymarket, Kalshi and PredictIt (live, each market shown on the odds page). How the average is calculated
Field developments
Latest 2028 election news and field updates
- Added four Republican primary polls that Wikipedia's table lists but this site lacked: Clarity Campaign Labs (September 11-16: Vance 35%, Rubio 16%, DeSantis 12%, Trump Jr. 12%), Echelon Insights for the Washington Free Beacon (June 5-9: Vance 38%, Rubio 19%, Trump Jr. 13%), Noble Predictive Insights (June 1-4: Vance 36%, Rubio 17%, DeSantis 7%) and McLaughlin & Associates (May 12-18: Vance 32%, Rubio 15%, Trump Jr. 13%). No new national primary poll since Harvard-Harris, September 26-28. - 2028 Republican primary polling (Wikipedia), Washington Free Beacon / Echelon Insights - June 2026 topline (PDF), The Center Square - Voters' Voice Poll, June 2026, McLaughlin & Associates - National May 2026 release (PDF)
- Added a YouGov poll from July 8-10, 2026 to both primary tables (Democrats: Harris 17%, Newsom 13%, Ocasio-Cortez 10%; Republicans: Vance 32%, Rubio 19%, Trump Jr. 11%). Prediction-market odds refreshed: Vance 19%, Ocasio-Cortez 13%, Ossoff 10%, Newsom 9%, Rubio 8%. No new national primary poll since Harvard-Harris, September 26-28. - YouGov - 2028 presidential election toplines (July 8-10), Polymarket - 2028 presidential winner market
- Added three Republicans to the tracker. Royce White, a former NBA player, announced a run on August 12 and filed with the FEC on September 21, 2026 (listed as declared, a minor candidate). Chris Christie said on September 22 that he is considering a third run, and Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said on October 4 that he would consider one (both listed as possible). - FEC - Royce White, Washington Examiner - Christie, NBC News - Meet the Press, Oct 4
- Both parties have now set their 2028 early states. The DNC calendar starts with South Carolina on January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada (February 1), New Hampshire (February 8), New Mexico (February 15), Michigan (February 22) and Virginia (February 29), with Super Tuesday on March 7. The RNC voted on September 10 to keep Iowa first, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina; Republican dates have not been announced. - The Hill - DNC approves 2028 calendar, Iowa Capital Dispatch - Iowa GOP first in 2028
- New Harvard-Harris poll (September 26-28, 2,200 RV): Kamala Harris leads Democrats at 38%, ahead of Gavin Newsom at 17% and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 12%; JD Vance leads Republicans at 39%, with Donald Trump Jr. at 24% and Marco Rubio at 17%. Also added August head-to-head polls from Emerson College and Quantus Insights to the matchup pages. - Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll - September 2026, Emerson College - August 2026 national poll
- JD Vance said in an NBC News interview on October 1 that Ted Cruz is "running for president"; Cruz answered in Politico on October 3 that "people engage in political bomb-throwing when they're feeling insecure." Sen. John Kennedy said on Meet the Press on October 4 that he plans to run for re-election but would consider a 2028 run. - Mediaite - Cruz responds to Vance, NBC News - Meet the Press, October 4
- Rahm Emanuel, asked on Meet the Press on October 4 whether he will run, said "I'll make that decision" and that America is ready for a Jewish president. Mark Kelly campaigned in Mauldin, South Carolina, on October 2 and said a Kamala Harris run would not decide his own choice. - NBC News - Meet the Press, October 4, South Carolina Public Radio
- Added two new national primary polls from each party. Echelon Insights (September 17-21) has Kamala Harris at 24% and Gavin Newsom at 14% among Democrats, and JD Vance at 38% and Marco Rubio at 20% among Republicans. McLaughlin & Associates (September 16-22) has Harris at 29% and Newsom at 12%, and Vance at 35%, Rubio at 15% and Donald Trump Jr. at 14%. - Democratic primary polling (Wikipedia), Republican primary polling (Wikipedia), Echelon Insights - September 2026 omnibus
- Rand Paul told The Washington Post on September 22 that he is "50-50" on a 2028 run and will decide after the midterms. JD Vance held a midterm rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on September 18, his second Iowa visit this year. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie said at the Granite State Summit in New Hampshire that he is considering a 2028 run. - The Washington Post, Iowa Public Radio, The Hill - Christie mulls 2028 run
- Marco Rubio said on September 9 he has "no plans at this time" to run in 2028, and Josh Hawley ruled out a run on September 15 ("No, I have no intention of doing so, period."). Pete Hegseth called a report that he discussed a run "100% false" on August 28. All three are now listed as not running. - 2028 Republican primaries - declined to run, Washington Examiner - Hawley rules out 2028 run
Show all 28 updates
- Gavin Newsom said on September 14 that he would not run in 2028 if Kamala Harris runs: "I wouldn't run if she ran." - NBC News
- Added 24 national Democratic primary polls fielded June 24 - September 15. The newest, Big Data Poll (September 13-15, 1,329 LV), has Kamala Harris at 27%, Gavin Newsom at 16%, and Pete Buttigieg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 10% each. Two summer polls (Emerson July 19-20, Quantus August 26-28) had Buttigieg in first place. - 2028 Democratic primary polling
- Added 11 national Republican primary polls fielded June 24 - September 15. JD Vance leads every one of them; the newest, Big Data Poll (September 13-15, 1,110 LV), has Vance at 38%, Marco Rubio at 16%, and Ron DeSantis at 8%. - 2028 Republican primary polling
- Kamala Harris led seven of the eight national Democratic primary polls completed in August, from 18% (Echelon Insights, August 13-17) to 42% (Harvard-Harris, August 28-30). The exception, Quantus Insights (August 26-28), had Pete Buttigieg at 25.7%, Jon Ossoff at 21.3% and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 15.3%, with Harris at 8.1%. - 2028 Democratic primary polling
- JD Vance led all three national Republican primary polls completed in August: Focaldata (August 7-11) 42%, McLaughlin & Associates (August 18-24) 32% and Quantus Insights (August 26-28) 41%. Marco Rubio was second in the Focaldata and Quantus polls (18%, 29%); Donald Trump Jr. was second in McLaughlin (19%). - 2028 Republican primary polling
- Ted Cruz said "it's no secret that I want to be president" on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's podcast. The same day, asked whether Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is interested in a 2028 run, his campaign press secretary answered: "No." - Texas Tribune
- Pete Buttigieg said of a 2028 run on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast: "I think I'm more inclined than not, but there's so much we don't know." - The Hill
- A new national Republican primary poll from Quantus Insights (July 3-7, 480 LV) has JD Vance leading the 2028 field at 42%, with Marco Rubio second at 26%, Ron DeSantis at 9%, Ted Cruz at 4%, and Nikki Haley at 3%. - 2028 Republican primary polling
- Three new national Republican primary polls added: Focaldata (June 26-30) has JD Vance at 40%, Big Data Poll (June 26-28) at 37%, and McLaughlin & Associates (June 17-23) at 35% - Vance leads all three, with Marco Rubio second in each (18%, 18%, 15%). - 2028 Republican primary polling
- Added verified head-to-head 2028 polling tables to the matchup pages (Vance-Harris, Vance-Newsom, Vance-AOC, Vance-Buttigieg, Rubio-Harris, Rubio-Newsom). Most recent: TPSI (May 21) had Harris over Vance 47-39; Overton Insights (May 16-20) had Newsom over Vance 44-39. - 2028 general election polling
- Axios reported Kamala Harris privately called New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and has met with progressive leaders - described as groundwork for a possible 2028 bid. Mamdani confirmed the outreach publicly. - Axios
- JD Vance said he expects Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to lead the 2028 Democratic field ("I think it's got to be AOC"); Ocasio-Cortez responded the next day without ruling out a run. - CNN
- Jon Ossoff ruled out a 2028 run, telling CNN "I am not running for president in 2028" as he focuses on his Georgia Senate reelection - moved to Passed on this tracker. - CNN
- Added a dated, multi-pollster 2028 primary polling table. Kamala Harris has led most recent national Democratic primary polls, with Gavin Newsom second and leading the betting markets; JD Vance leads every recent Republican poll, usually by double digits. - 2028 Democratic primary polling
- Gregory Bovino formed an exploratory committee - the second long-shot Republican to formally file, while the serious field still waits on the midterms.
- Marco Rubio firmed up as the main alternative to front-runner JD Vance in 2028 Republican primary polling, with some surveys showing the two close to tied. - Emerson College
- Gretchen Whitmer said she would not make a 2028 bid, then immediately softened it to 'never say never' - her intentions remain genuinely unclear.
- Pete Buttigieg led the Emerson College national Democratic primary poll at 18%, edging Gavin Newsom.
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The one page that sorts the real 2028 candidates from the noise.
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2028 presidential candidates by party
We label every name by how committed they really are - because "running" and "being talked about" are not the same thing. Filter the 2028 presidential candidates by party or status, or search for anyone. You can also browse the full A-to-Z list of 2028 presidential candidates on a single page.
Showing 50 names: 42 still in the running, 8 have ruled it out
Likely to run 7 · actively positioning
The 2024 Democratic nominee retains a national base. She passed on the 2026 California governor race, keeping a 2028 run open, and says she is thinking about it.
Term-limited California governor and front-of-pack Democrat who built a national profile countering the Trump administration. In June 2026 he said he and his wife are under federal investigation, calling it political retaliation for weighing a 2028 bid. In September 2026 he said he would not run if Kamala Harris runs, and says he will decide after the 2026 midterms.
Former Cabinet secretary and 2020 candidate who has become a leading Democratic voice. He has campaigned nationally, led a few early-primary surveys, and is widely expected to run in 2028.
Progressive star with a huge small-dollar fundraising base who inherits much of the Bernie Sanders coalition. Advisers reported to be planning a national tour.
The term-limited Florida governor and 2024 candidate has said he is open to another run. His term ends in 2027, freeing him to campaign.
Popular governor of the pivotal swing state of Pennsylvania, seen as a strong general-election profile. Appeared alongside other hopefuls on the early circuit.
Declared (minor candidates) 2 · formally filed
A long-shot candidate who formally announced and filed paperwork, running as a self-described Lincoln-and-Roosevelt Republican.
A former first-round NBA draft pick who lost Minnesota's 2024 Senate race to Amy Klobuchar and finished third in the August 2026 Republican Senate primary. He announced a presidential campaign the next day.
Possible 33 · floated
An influential party fundraiser and the president's eldest son, whose name surfaces in 2028 speculation.
Former astronaut and swing-state senator with a moderate, national-security-forward brand. Has publicly said a 2028 bid is under consideration.
Wealthy, combative Illinois governor seeking re-election in 2026 who has signaled he will be deeply involved in the 2028 cycle.
A former 2020 candidate and high-profile New Jersey senator promoting a new book with a national tour who says he is "definitely not ruling out" a 2028 run, even as he seeks Senate re-election in 2026.
A twice-elected Democratic governor of deep-red Kentucky and 2026 chair of the Democratic Governors Association. He has stepped up national travel and openly acknowledges weighing a 2028 run, but says he will not decide until he is done as DGA chair.
The 2016 runner-up and Texas senator has said he expects to seek the presidency again and was reported to be weighing a campaign.
A biotech entrepreneur and 2024 Republican primary candidate who won the May 2026 GOP primary for Ohio governor and now faces Democrat Amy Acton in November. He remains a prominent national voice and a name in 2028 speculation.
Charismatic first-term governor and rising star who is focused on 2026 re-election but has not closed the door on a future national run.
Rahm Emanuel
DemocraticFormer U.S. Ambassador to Japan - age 66
A former Chicago mayor, Obama White House chief of staff and U.S. ambassador to Japan, now a CNN commentator and Washington Post columnist. He is among the most active 2028 signalers, saying he is "thinking about" a run and touring the country, but says he will not decide until after the 2026 midterms.
A progressive, Sanders-aligned California congressman who has shifted from coy to openly weighing a 2028 bid, teasing a run in spring 2026 and drawing guidance from Biden's former chief of staff Ron Klain. Says a final decision waits until after the 2026 midterms.
A senior Minnesota senator and 2020 presidential candidate who launched a run for Minnesota governor in January 2026 and won the DFL primary on August 11, 2026. She faces Republican Lisa Demuth in November.
The progressive Vermont senator and two-time presidential candidate whose movement still shapes the party, though his age makes a third run unlikely.
Term-limited Georgia governor seen as a leading traditional-conservative option. He passed on a 2026 Senate race, fueling 2028 speculation.
Byron Donalds
RepublicanU.S. Representative (Florida); Republican nominee for Governor of Florida - age 47
A Florida congressman and close Trump ally who won the Republican primary for Florida governor on August 18, 2026 and faces Democrat David Jolly in November. His rising profile keeps his name in occasional 2028 conversations.
Former two-term New Jersey governor who ran for the Republican nomination in 2016 and 2024, the second time as a leading Trump critic. In September 2026 he said he is weighing a third bid.
A Connecticut senator who has built a larger national profile on guns, foreign policy and democracy, and is sometimes named as a 2028 dark horse.
A former House Republican Conference chair and prominent Trump ally who ended her bid for New York governor in December 2025 and is not seeking re-election to the House. She is sometimes mentioned among the party's younger national prospects.
A former CIA officer and Michigan senator who has been given high-profile national speaking roles, fueling some 2028 mentions.
A former private-equity executive who served one term as Virginia governor and has long been mentioned as a potential national candidate.
A long-serving Texas governor with a large war chest who is seeking a record fourth term in 2026. He said in August 2025 that he will run for governor again and dismissed 2028 talk, and in August 2026 his campaign answered "No" when asked about 2028 interest.
A former U.S. Border Patrol commander who became a viral figure as a public face of the 2025-26 immigration crackdown. In June 2026 a supporter-built 'Bovino2028' website and a self-described exploratory committee drew national headlines; Bovino said a 2028 run is 'on the table' if it advances mass deportations.
Popular swing-state governor often listed as a top contender. In May 2026 she said she would not make a 2028 bid, then immediately softened it to 'never say never.'
A wealthy, business-friendly Colorado governor who is term-limited in 2026, leaving him free to consider a national run.
Louisiana senator since 2017, known for his folksy one-liners. He has said his plan is to run for re-election to the Senate but that he would consider a presidential bid.
Kristi Noem
RepublicanU.S. Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas; former Homeland Security Secretary - age 54
A former South Dakota governor who served as Homeland Security secretary in 2025-2026 and has been U.S. special envoy for the Shield of the Americas since March 2026, with a national profile that keeps her in future-contender lists.
Phil Murphy
DemocraticFormer Governor of New Jersey - age 68
A two-term New Jersey governor who left office in January 2026, succeeded by fellow Democrat Mikie Sherrill. He has not taken a 2028 run off the table but plays it down ("I wouldn't put a lot of money on that").
Libertarian-leaning Kentucky senator and former 2016 candidate who has said another bid is under consideration.
A pastor and Georgia senator who has twice won in a key battleground, a profile that keeps him in 2028 conversations.
A Marine veteran who won a Senate seat in battleground Arizona in 2024, giving him a profile some Democrats see as a future national asset.
Arkansas governor and former White House press secretary often mentioned as a future national contender, with no formal moves yet.
A South Carolina senator and 2024 presidential candidate with a strong fundraising network and an optimistic message.
An Army veteran and Arkansas senator known for a hawkish foreign policy, frequently listed among possible future contenders.
Former Democrat turned Republican and Trump administration official whose 2026 departure from the DNI role has fueled 2028 talk.
Not running 8 · said no or ineligible
Former 2016 candidate now serving as Secretary of State, long seen as the main alternative to Vance. On September 9, 2026 he said he has "no plans at this time" to run in 2028 and is focused on his job; Wikipedia now lists him among Republicans who declined to run. He did not rule out a future campaign outright.
Young swing-state senator whose name climbed in prediction markets, but he flatly ruled out a 2028 run in June 2026, saying he is focused on his Georgia Senate reelection.
A former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador who was the last major rival standing in the 2024 Republican primary. Asked on CNN's State of the Union in April 2026 whether she would run in 2028, she said: "I will not."
The sitting president cannot appear on the 2028 ballot. Having been elected in 2016 and 2024, he has reached the two-term limit and is constitutionally ineligible.
Joe Biden
DemocraticFormer President of the United States (46th) - age 83
The 46th president stepped aside during the 2024 race and endorsed Kamala Harris. He has given no sign of a 2028 campaign and would be 86 years old on Inauguration Day 2029.
A populist, economic-nationalist Missouri senator long mentioned for the Trump-aligned lane. In September 2026 he ended speculation about a 2028 bid, telling the Washington Examiner he has no intention of seeking the Republican nomination.
Defense secretary and former TV host occasionally floated in 2028 chatter. In August 2026 he called an NBC report that he had discussed a presidential run "100% false," and a Pentagon spokesman said he "is not running for president."
The 2024 Democratic vice-presidential nominee and two-term Minnesota governor. He dropped his bid for a third term and said in January 2026, "I will never run for an elected office again. Never again."
Polling figures cited from Emerson College polling and FEC - 2028 presidential filings. Each card links to that candidate's Wikipedia and Ballotpedia profile.
Sourced quotes
Everything they said about 2028
43 politicians | 167 sourced entries -- posts, interviews, speeches, and reporting. Open the full statement-log hub | RSS
Donald Trump 12 entries
Latest (June 2026): Structured log vs full archive
JD Vance 9 entries
Latest (September 10, 2026): Latest public signal on 2028
Mark Kelly 8 entries
Latest (October 2, 2026): Latest public signal on 2028
Ro Khanna 8 entries
Latest (September 22, 2026): Latest public signal on 2028
Kamala Harris 7 entries
Latest (September 22, 2026): Latest public signal on 2028
Gavin Newsom 7 entries
Latest (September 14, 2026): Latest public signal on 2028
- Rahm Emanuel | October 4, 2026: Latest public signal on 2028
- John Kennedy | October 4, 2026: Latest public signal on 2028
- Ted Cruz | October 3, 2026: Latest public signal on 2028
- Mark Kelly | October 2, 2026: Latest public signal on 2028
Head to head
Compare any two contenders
Pick a Republican and a Democrat (or any two names) to compare their live market odds, status, and profile side by side.
vs
JD VanceVice President of the United States
RepublicanLikely to run
20.1%market odds to win
- Age (2026)
- 41
- Standing
- The clear early Republican frontrunner, at or near the top of every 2028 GOP primary poll in mid-2026.
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezU.S. Representative (NY-14)
DemocraticLikely to run
12.7%market odds to win
- Age (2026)
- 36
- Standing
- Polls in the low double digits and shows a high ceiling among progressives.
Prediction markets currently give JD Vance the stronger overall chance of winning the 2028 election. Reliable head-to-head polling does not exist this far out, so this compares each candidate's overall market standing and profile - not a direct matchup poll.
The buzz
How the 2028 race is being talked about
The tone of news coverage, the live conversation on social platforms and news sites, and the campaign ads running for each likely candidate - in one place.
We scan the tone of worldwide online news and media coverage (GDELT's global index, last 14 days) and score each top contender positive / neutral / negative. Coverage skews negative across the board, so it reads best by comparing contenders. Refreshed daily - last Oct 12.
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez-32 Negative
- Josh Shapiro-33 Negative
- Kamala Harris-38 Negative
- JD Vance-56 Negative
- Gavin Newsom-58 Negative
Source: GDELT global online media index (document tone). Tone reflects the overall coverage that mentions each name, not necessarily opinion about them.
These open the latest live posts and news about the race and each likely candidate on X, Reddit, Google News, and YouTube - always current, sorted newest-first.
The political ads each likely candidate is running, straight from the official public archives. Paid 2028 presidential advertising is still light this far out; these fill up as campaigns and allied PACs launch.
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezMeta Ad LibraryGoogle Ads
Gavin NewsomMeta Ad LibraryGoogle Ads
Josh ShapiroMeta Ad LibraryGoogle Ads
Kamala HarrisMeta Ad LibraryGoogle Ads
Pete ButtigiegMeta Ad LibraryGoogle Ads
JD VanceMeta Ad LibraryGoogle Ads
Ron DeSantisMeta Ad LibraryGoogle Ads
Sources: Meta Ad Library and Google Ads Transparency Center. We never estimate or invent ad spend.
The road to 2028
Key dates and what happens next
The 2026 midterms are the real starting gun. Here is how the calendar unfolds.
Counting down to Election Day | Nov 7, 2028
757Days
00Hours
00Minutes
00Seconds
Nov 2026
Midterm elections
The 2026 midterms are widely seen as the real starting gun. Most serious contenders have said they will decide on a 2028 run only after the midterms.
Early-mid 2027
Campaign launches begin
Expect the first formal 2028 announcements through 2027, following the historical pattern of campaigns declaring roughly a year before the primaries.
Jan-Feb 2028
Primaries and caucuses start
Democrats open with South Carolina on January 22, 2028, and hold Super Tuesday on March 7. Republicans start in Iowa, then New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina; their dates are not announced yet.
Summer 2028
Party conventions
The Republican and Democratic national conventions formally nominate each party's presidential ticket.
Nov 7, 2028
Election Day
Voters cast ballots nationwide. A candidate needs 270 of 538 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Jan 20, 2029
Inauguration Day
The winner of the 2028 election is sworn in as the 48th President of the United States.
Common date questions: the exact 2028 election date - how many days until the election - how to register and vote - who will be the 48th president.
How it is won
The 2028 path to 270 electoral votes
The U.S. president is chosen by the Electoral College, not the popular vote. A candidate needs 270 of 538 electoral votes to win. Most states reliably back one party - the 2028 race will come down to a handful of competitive battleground states holding 93 electoral votes between them.
Democratic path
A Democratic nominee holding every Democratic-leaning state starts near 226 electoral votes. The most direct route to 270 runs through the "blue wall": Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Winning all three puts any Sun Belt win over the top.
Republican path
A Republican nominee holding every Republican-leaning state starts near 219 electoral votes. Republicans swept all seven battlegrounds in 2024. In 2028 the map resets depending on who the nominees are and what issues dominate.
Explore the full breakdown: 2028 electoral map - path to 270 - the 7 swing states.
Beyond the horse race
The deepest writing on 2028
We gathered more than 2,000 serious essays on the 2028 race, verified every link, and ranked the best 1,000 - down to the best 100, the best 10, and a single best read. Start here, then explore the full canon.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How many candidates are running for president in 2028?
We are tracking 42 potential 2028 candidates as of October 12, 2026: 2 have formally filed with the FEC (minor long-shots so far), 7 are likely to run, and 33 are possible names. No major candidate has formally declared yet; the serious field is expected to form after the 2026 midterms.
Updated
Are there any confirmed candidates for the 2028 presidential election yet?
Not among the major contenders. As of October 12, 2026, no major Democrat or Republican has officially declared or filed a 2028 presidential campaign. The only candidates formally on file with the FEC so far are minor long-shots (Dan Greaney, Royce White). The serious field is expected to form after the 2026 midterms.
Updated
Who will be the next president of the United States?
The next U.S. president - the 48th - will be elected on November 7, 2028 and inaugurated on January 20, 2029. Donald Trump is term-limited by the 22nd Amendment and cannot run again, so 2028 will produce a new president. No nominee has been chosen yet; this tracker follows the contenders as the field forms.
Updated
Who is running for president next?
The next presidential race is 2028, and no major candidate has formally declared yet. The most-discussed names are Democrats Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Josh Shapiro, and Republicans JD Vance and Ron DeSantis (Marco Rubio, long second in GOP polls, said in September 2026 he has no plans to run). This page tracks the full field, labeled by how committed each name actually is.
Updated
When is the 2028 presidential election?
Tuesday, November 7, 2028. By law, Election Day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and the winner is inaugurated on January 20, 2029.
More: Full answer: 2028 election date
Updated
When does the 2028 presidential campaign start?
There is no official start date. Serious activity is expected to build right after the November 2026 midterms, with formal announcements through 2027 - historically 12 to 18 months before the first primaries in early 2028. As of October 2026, no major candidate has declared.
More: Full answer: when do 2028 campaigns start?
Updated
When is the filing deadline to run for president in 2028?
There is no single national deadline. A candidate must register with the FEC within 15 days of raising or spending more than $5,000, and each state sets its own primary filing deadline - most will fall between late 2027 and summer 2028.
More: Full answer: 2028 filing deadlines
Updated
Is there a presidential election in 2026?
No. There is no presidential election in 2026 - that year holds the midterm elections for Congress, governorships, and state offices. The next U.S. presidential election is in 2028, on November 7.
Updated
Who is officially running for president in 2028?
As of October 2026, no major-party figure has formally declared a 2028 campaign. Only a handful of minor and fringe candidates have filed with the Federal Election Commission. The serious field is expected to take shape after the November 2026 midterms and through 2027.
Updated
Who are the 2028 presidential candidates?
The 2028 presidential candidates are still potential rather than declared. The most likely Democratic contenders are Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Kamala Harris, and Josh Shapiro. The most likely Republicans are Vice President JD Vance and Ron DeSantis; Secretary of State Marco Rubio, long second in GOP polls, said in September 2026 he has no plans to run. Donald Trump is term-limited and cannot run again. This page tracks the full field, labeled by how committed each name actually is.
Updated
Who is most likely to run for president in 2028?
Based on early polling, prediction markets, and reporting, the most likely Democrats to run are Kamala Harris (who has led most national primary polls), Gavin Newsom (usually second in those polls), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (the leading Democrat in prediction markets), Pete Buttigieg, and Josh Shapiro. For the Republicans, Vice President JD Vance leads every recent primary poll, usually by double digits. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has usually polled second but said in September 2026 he has no plans to run; Donald Trump Jr. placed second in the late-September Harvard-Harris survey, and Ron DeSantis is further back. No major figure has formally entered the race.
Updated - Emerson College
Who will be the next president of the United States?
The next president will be chosen in the election on November 7, 2028 and inaugurated as the 48th president on January 20, 2029. It is far too early to know who will win - no major candidate has declared, and the field will not take shape until after the 2026 midterms. The early favorites are JD Vance among Republicans (Marco Rubio, long second in polls, said in September 2026 he has no plans to run) and Kamala Harris (in the polls) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (in the betting markets) among Democrats.
Updated
Are there any female candidates for president in 2028?
Yes - several women are among the most-discussed potential 2028 candidates. On the Democratic side they include former Vice President Kamala Harris, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Elissa Slotkin. On the Republican side they include Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said in April 2026 she will not run. None has formally declared a campaign.
Updated
Can Donald Trump run for president again in 2028?
No. The 22nd Amendment bars anyone who has been elected president twice from being elected again. Trump was elected in 2016 and again in 2024, so he is constitutionally ineligible to be elected to a third term in 2028. Repealing the amendment would require two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states, which is not realistic in this timeframe.
More: Full legal answer: Can Trump run in 2028? | What the 22nd Amendment says | Everything Trump has said about a third term
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Who are the leading Republican candidates for 2028?
No major Republican has declared yet (two long-shots, TV writer Dan Greaney and former NBA player Royce White, have filed with the FEC). Vice President JD Vance is the most discussed and leads early prediction markets; Secretary of State Marco Rubio, long second in polls, said in September 2026 he has no plans to run. Other names mentioned include Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz, and Brian Kemp.
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Who are the leading Democratic candidates for 2028?
No Democrat has declared yet. The most discussed names include Pete Buttigieg (who led an Emerson College poll in May 2026), California Governor Gavin Newsom (usually second in national primary polls), Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (the leading Democrat in prediction markets), former Vice President Kamala Harris (who has led most national primary polls), and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Updated - Emerson College
Who is the frontrunner for the 2028 election?
It is too early for a true frontrunner more than two years before the primaries. On the Republican side, JD Vance leads both the primary polls and the betting markets. On the Democratic side, Kamala Harris has led most recent primary polls, with Gavin Newsom usually second, while Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leads the Democrats in the prediction markets; Pete Buttigieg has led a few surveys. These standings are highly fluid and change with the news cycle.
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Can Kamala Harris run for president in 2028?
Yes. Harris served as vice president, not president, so no term limit applies to her. She has publicly said she is considering a run but has not announced a decision.
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Can JD Vance run for president in 2028?
Yes. Vance has never served as president, so the 22nd Amendment does not apply to him. As the sitting vice president he is widely seen as an early Republican favorite, though he has not formally declared.
More: Could Trump be vice president in 2028 instead? | The 2028 vice-presidential picks
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How many people are running for president in 2028?
As of October 2026, no prominent figure has formally entered. A small number of little-known candidates have filed paperwork with the FEC, but the major-party fields are still forming and are expected to grow substantially in 2027.
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When do the 2028 primaries start?
The Democratic calendar starts with South Carolina on January 22, 2028 (approved by the DNC in August 2026). Republicans approved Iowa as their first contest in September 2026, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina; Republican dates have not been announced.
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How many electoral votes are needed to win in 2028?
A candidate needs at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win the presidency.
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Will there be a third-party or independent candidate in 2028?
Possibly, but nothing is confirmed. Some figures have signaled early interest, but no viable independent or third-party campaign has materialized as of mid-2026.
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