Former US President Barack Obama congratulates Pennsylvania’s Democratic candidate for governor Josh Shapiro at a 2022 event in Philadelphia, where US President Joe Biden embraces Democratic US Senate candidate John Fetterman/FILEED JONES/AFP via Getty Images
It’s never too early to begin making predictions about potential 2028 presidential candidates.
Having said that, two Pennsylvania politicians have been added to a new list of prospective Democratic presidential candidates.
Sen. John Fetterman is placed number five out of ten potential contenders, while Gov. Josh Shapiro is at the top of the list created by The Washington Post.
Aaron Blake, a senior political correspondent for The Post, argues that the Democratic Party, which lost the 2024 election, lacks a strong leader and has not yet developed a clear message for voters.
According to Blake, many Democrats are wondering if Shapiro might have helped Kamaka Harris win if he had been selected as his running mate.
Given that Shapiro’s name is highly regarded by upcoming Democratic leaders, Blake listed Shapiro’s proven political skills, messaging prowess, and cross-platform appeal as justifications for his high ranking.
He also brought up Shapiro’s propensity to mimic former President Obama’s speech patterns and how, in three years, that charming sound of nostalgia from the Democratic heyday might work to his advantage.
Blake attributes Fetterman’s emergence as one of the most intriguing members of the U.S. Senate and how that could help him in 2028. Fetterman endured a stroke and a severe case of depression.
Blake claims that Fetterman is becoming recognized as a candidate who could appeal to Trump supporters as his independent streak has been made clear, particularly through some of his eye-catching actions (such as flying down to Mar-a-Lago for a meeting with Trump) and urging the party to relax about Trump’s comeback.
Also included on the list of possible 2028 Democratic primary contenders are former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
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Amy Worden