Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is emerging as the leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, according to a recent poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire. Buttigieg secured the support of 19% of voters in the Granite State Poll, outperforming notable figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Buttigieg, who previously served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has maintained a favorable rating of 81%, with only 6% of respondents expressing negative views about him. In contrast, Newsom garnered 15% support, while Ocasio-Cortez received 14%. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who has hinted at remaining active in politics, followed with 11%.
Potential Candidates Consider Their Options
During a recent appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning, Newsom indicated he would evaluate a presidential bid following the national midterm elections next year. When questioned about the seriousness of his consideration, he responded, “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying, and I can’t do that.”
Harris also expressed interest in a future presidential run, stating, “Possibly,” in an interview with the BBC. She emphasized her long-standing commitment to public service, saying, “I am not done. I have lived my entire career a life of service, and it’s in my bones.”
Other potential candidates mentioned in the poll include Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, who received 8% support, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who garnered 6%.
In a noteworthy twist, the prediction market Polymarket recently suggested that actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has a higher chance of winning the 2028 presidential race than Harris, with a 5.6% probability compared to her 5%.
Republican Landscape Shows Strong Support for Vance
On the Republican side, Vice President J.D. Vance leads the pack, receiving an impressive 51% support from 688 likely Republican voters. This places him significantly ahead of former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who secured 9%, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who received 8%. Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed with 5%.
Former President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed a potential ticket featuring Vance and Rubio, labeling it as “unstoppable.” He highlighted the strengths of both candidates, stating, “All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they don’t.”
The significance of the New Hampshire poll cannot be understated, as it represents the first state to hold both Democratic and Republican primary elections ahead of the 2028 election cycle. The outcomes of these early primaries often play a crucial role in shaping the candidates’ decisions on whether to continue their campaigns.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the positions of these candidates will likely shift as they respond to public sentiment and the challenges ahead.
