Updated June 23, 2026

2028 Democratic primary polls

Early national polling of the 2028 Democratic field. These surveys mostly measure name recognition this far out.

2028 Democratic primary polls: who is ahead?

Across the last 5 polls, Kamala Harris averages about 31%, Gavin Newsom averages about 17%, Pete Buttigieg averages about 10%. Kamala Harris leads the most recent survey at 26% (McLaughlin & Associates, June 17-23, 2026). This early, the numbers mostly reflect name recognition, not the eventual result.

  • Kamala Harris - 30.8% average (5 of the last 5 polls)
  • Gavin Newsom - 17.4% average (5 of the last 5 polls)
  • Pete Buttigieg - 10.3% average (4 of the last 5 polls)
2028 Democratic primary polls, by pollster and date
PollDatesHarrisNewsomButtigiegOcasio-CortezShapiroKellyBeshear
McLaughlin & Associates464 LVJune 17-23, 202626%16%8%9%5%3%
Echelon Insights515 LVJune 11-14, 202620%14%14%12%6%4%2%
Noble Predictive Insights1,013 RVJune 1-4, 202627%14%11%8%2%
Focaldata685 RVMay 29 - June 1, 202637%17%8%7%3%5%3%
Harvard-Harris1,725 RVMay 29-31, 202644%26%8%10%
I&I/TIPP593 RVMay 26-28, 202631%14%6%5%6%4%2%
Big Data Poll1,378 LVMay 24-27, 202628%17%11%9%6%6%3%
Emerson College432 LVMay 24-25, 20269.9%15.9%17.9%11.1%10%8.5%
Overton Insights661 LVMay 16-20, 20269%13%16%12%8%4%3%
Rasmussen Reports433 LVMay 18-20, 202634%12%10%11%9%9%4%
Echelon Insights501 LVMay 14-18, 202623%17%10%11%5%6%2%

The leading name in each poll is bold. Percentages are as reported by the named pollster on the listed dates.

Where they stand

The field and its early polling

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
U.S. Representative (NY-14)

Polls in the low double digits and shows a high ceiling among progressives.

Gavin Newsom
Governor of California

Leads Democratic 2028 prediction markets (around a 30 percent chance of the nomination) and runs at or near the top of recent national Democratic primary polls.

Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania

Polls in high single digits; consistently ranked top-tier by analysts.

Kamala Harris
Former Vice President

Has led most recent national 2028 Democratic primary polls (from the high 20s to the mid 40s since spring 2026), though only mid-single digits in betting markets.

Pete Buttigieg
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary

Led a couple of May 2026 national Democratic primary surveys (Emerson, Overton) but trails Kamala Harris in most recent polls; low in betting markets.

Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Senator (Minnesota)
Possible
Andy Beshear
Governor of Kentucky
Possible
Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator (Vermont)
Possible
Chris Murphy
U.S. Senator (Connecticut)
Possible
Cory Booker
U.S. Senator (New Jersey)
Possible
Elissa Slotkin
U.S. Senator (Michigan)
Possible
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of Michigan
Possible
J.B. Pritzker
Governor of Illinois
Possible
Jared Polis
Governor of Colorado
Possible
Mark Kelly
U.S. Senator (Arizona)
Possible
Phil Murphy
Former Governor of New Jersey

Barely registers in early 2028 Democratic primary polls (about 1 percent or less) and is not a meaningful factor in prediction markets.

Rahm Emanuel
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan

Registers only in the low single digits in early 2028 Democratic primary surveys.

Raphael Warnock
U.S. Senator (Georgia)
Possible
Ro Khanna
U.S. Representative (California)
Possible
Ruben Gallego
U.S. Senator (Arizona)
Possible
Wes Moore
Governor of Maryland
Possible

Sources: Emerson College polling, FEC - 2028 presidential filings. Numbers shown are as reported by the cited pollster on the date noted.

Quick answers

2028 Democratic primary polls FAQ

Who is leading the democratic primary polls?
Kamala Harris leads, averaging about 31% across the most recent 2028 Democratic primary polls (and 26% in the latest, McLaughlin & Associates). The field is unsettled and early numbers mostly track name recognition.
Who will win the 2028 Democratic primary?
It is far too early to call - no candidate has formally declared. But Kamala Harris is the clear early frontrunner, averaging about 31% across recent 2028 Democratic primary polls, ahead of Gavin Newsom (about 17%). These early polls track name recognition, not the eventual result.
How reliable are these polls?
This early, primary polling mostly reflects name recognition. It is useful for spotting trends, not for predicting the result.

All races on the 2028 polls hub.

↑ Top