Democrats Rise Against Trump's Policies: A Look at Potential 2028 Presidential Hopefuls

Democratic governors are leveraging opposition to Trump's agenda to gain national attention and position themselves for the 2028 presidential election.

Key Players

Gavin Newsom - California

• Opposition: Redistricting efforts
• Action: Championed a ballot measure in California to help Democrats gain extra seats in next year's congressional elections.
• Impact: Gaining traction among Democrats nationwide.

JB Pritzker - Illinois

• Opposition: Federal arrests at schools and courthouses
• Action: Signed legislation barring such arrests in Illinois.
• Impact: Making appearances at Democratic events in other states, urging bolder action against Trump.

Wes Moore - Maryland

• Opposition: Efforts to shrink the federal workforce and slash SNAP food benefits
• Action: Restored full SNAP benefits in Maryland and campaigned for Democrats in swing states.
• Impact: Framed as a direct counter to Trump's policies.

National Attention and Challenges

• Trump's Response: Mocked Newsom on social media, accused Moore of failing to control crime.
• Democrats' Enthusiasm: Looking for a strong leader to challenge Trump.
• National Branding: Governors still need to build their national profiles.
• Poll Results: 64% of Democrats have a favorable opinion of Newsom, but a majority are unfamiliar with Pritzker or Moore.