Jim Messina, the strategist who led Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign, says more than two dozen Democrats are currently considering runs for the White House in 2028. Messina told the BBC's Americast podcast that he has spoken to "over two dozen campaigns" that are actively exploring bids, have already started hiring staff, and have begun the financing process.
Messina predicts that Democrats will begin announcing exploratory committees within the next week or two, likely following Thanksgiving. However, he cautioned that the number of serious contenders may decrease as candidates face the pressure of raising the significant funds required for primary contests.
The strategist attributed the Democratic Party's recent midterm election success to a disciplined focus on the economy and the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs, which he described as "devastating to rural voters." He noted that by avoiding "the bait on the social wars" and sticking to economic messaging, the party flipped seats in Republican strongholds like Texas, Kansas, and Iowa. Messina highlighted the struggle for farmers, stating, "When you're a farmer and you're paying $7 for a gallon of diesel to put in your tractor, the economics just don't work, and at the same time you're paying more for everything."
Messina suggested that the 2028 race will be the most interesting since 2008 because candidates will have to navigate how to respond to outgoing president Donald Trump. He questioned whether Democrats will "take the bait and talk about Donald Trump every day, or do you stay focused on your message?"
While celebrating the midterm wins, Messina warned that the victory was not a "ringing endorsement" of the party, calling Donald Trump the "MVP of the election for the Democrats." He noted that the next challenge for the party will be unifying its progressive and centrist wings within Congress.
