Democrats Begin Early Moves for a 2028 Presidential Bid
As the political landscape gears up for the next presidential election cycle, several Democrats are quietly laying the groundwork for potential runs in 2028. Recent campaign finance disclosures reveal that they are actively recruiting donors and launching online ads to boost their national profiles.
Leading the charge is former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who has already amassed an impressive $1.6 million for his leadership PAC in the first half of the year. He is joined by various Democratic governors, each raising hundreds of thousands to support their ambitions.
These political figures have collectively raised and spent millions this year, as disclosed in filings with the Federal Election Commission. Much of this funding has been funneled into fundraising activities, such as acquiring donor lists and running digital advertisements, which are crucial for any future presidential bid.
“If you’re contemplating a presidential run in 2028, the first order of business is to ensure you’re actively helping Democrats win in 2026,” noted Pete Giangreco, a seasoned Democratic consultant with deep ties to Barack Obama’s campaigns. “Raising funds for your leadership PAC allows you to travel, test different messages, support other candidates, and grow your online following. Investing in your PAC now is absolutely essential for building your fundraising operation.”
While formal campaign announcements are expected to follow the 2026 midterms, several rumored candidates have already established leadership PACs. These PACs allow for fundraising and spending that isn’t tied to a specific election, enabling potential contenders to focus on enhancing their digital presence. Governors with lower national profiles are particularly active, using online advertisements to broaden their appeal.
Buttigieg, along with Governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, has invested significantly in acquiring donor lists—a major expenditure for their PACs. Beshear has recently campaigned in South Carolina, a key early primary state, while Whitmer’s presidential aspirations appear less certain.
The strategic focus on list-building underscores these candidates’ ambitions for higher office, especially as online fundraising has become a cornerstone of successful Democratic campaigns over the past decade. By purchasing or renting the contact information of Democratic donors, candidates can effectively target potential supporters and introduce themselves to a broader audience.
“Building a robust email and text list serves multiple purposes: it increases your name recognition, allows you to fundraise for other candidates, and ultimately for yourself,” explained Mike Nellis, a Democratic digital consultant. “If you’re not investing in growing a sizable audience right now, you’re missing a critical opportunity. Honestly, all of them should be spending even more on this.”
Leadership PACs also empower political figures in Democratic strongholds to direct funds toward competitive races, whether through direct contributions to vulnerable candidates or state party fundraising. For instance, California Governor Gavin Newsom has successfully leveraged his extensive email and text lists to support other candidates. Such activities not only facilitate relationships across the country but also foster goodwill within the party.
Newsom’s leadership PAC, Campaign for Democracy, notably invested $1.5 million in digital ads in late June, following its 2023 launch which included a hefty transfer from his gubernatorial campaign. By the end of June, the PAC reported a healthy $4.4 million cash on hand.
Digital advertising has proven instrumental in expanding candidates’ name recognition and attracting donors beyond their home states.
“It’s the small donations from folks like you that have the greatest impact,” one ad from Beshear’s PAC, In This Together, proclaimed on Facebook in June. “Your support helps us do what matters most: elect decent, compassionate leaders in Kentucky and nationwide.”
Beshear’s PAC currently has $496,000 cash on hand and allocated $30,000 for digital advertising through the end of June, according to its Federal Election Commission report. Although much of Beshear’s advertising primarily targeted Kentucky, it also reached audiences nationwide, as confirmed by data from Meta’s digital ad library. Similarly, Facebook ads from Whitmer’s Fight Like Hell PAC predominantly targeted Michigan but also enjoyed some national visibility. Whitmer’s PAC has $2.6 million cash on hand.
Both filings showcase the home-state advantage enjoyed by these candidates, as they received more contributions from local donors compared to any other region, despite neither Kentucky nor Michigan being known for their Democratic financial support.
Buttigieg’s Win the Era PAC, which had been relatively inactive during his tenure in the Biden administration, began running Facebook ads in July—marking the first such advertisements since his 2020 presidential campaign concluded. “While my name won’t be on a ballot in 2026, I am committed to doing the work that must be done to rebuild trust in our system: supporting emerging leaders, showing up in communities we too often ignore, and helping win more elections,” Buttigieg stated in one of his recent ads.
Amanda Stitt, who led Whitmer’s 2022 campaign, remarked that the governor “is diligently serving her constituents, addressing their needs, creating jobs, and safeguarding their freedoms. She’s proud to support candidates nationwide who share these goals, especially in challenging districts like those she won in Michigan.”
Representatives for Beshear and Newsom declined to provide comments.
Leadership PACs have also been utilized to cover travel and other expenses necessary for laying the foundation for 2028 candidacies. For instance, Beshear’s PAC spent $18,000 on polling in March and April.
However, not all prospective candidates for 2028 are currently raising federal funds. Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Wes Moore of Maryland, both seeking reelection next year, have not established federal leadership PACs. Meanwhile, billionaire Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is channeling his resources into an advocacy group structured as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, which sidesteps strict campaign finance reporting requirements.
