The road to the 2028 presidential election has begun significantly earlier than usual, with the 2025 off-year electoral contests in pivotal states like New Jersey and Virginia serving as an impromptu testing ground for a host of prominent Democrats. This early activity marks the unofficial start of the 2028 presidential hopefuls campaign as they leverage the 2025 contests. These national leaders aren’t just looking to boost fellow party members in critical gubernatorial and down-ballot races; they are simultaneously elevating their own national profiles, stress-testing their political messages, and cultivating an invaluable network of donors and activists far outside their home states.
High visibility in these challenging environments offers a golden opportunity to prove they are “team players” within the Democratic Party, a quality highly valued for long-term success. The sheer volume of high-profile political figures deployed underscores the importance the party places on securing victories in off-year and midterm elections, viewing them as essential stepping stones for future control of Congress and, ultimately, the White House. The fact that several sitting governors with national ambitions are so actively involved reinforces the growing perception that executive experience is becoming an increasingly desirable trait for national Democratic voters.
This strategic early maneuvering allows potential candidates to build momentum, refine their stump speeches, and establish early leads in fundraising and organizational support well before the formal 2028 cycle commences.
Infrastructure, “Mob Boss Politics,” and Executive Strategy
A central figure actively engaged in the 2025 campaign push is former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. His involvement has skillfully blended national infrastructure policy with sharp criticism of the opposition. Buttigieg notably joined forces with New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Representative Mikie Sherrill, to directly attack President Donald Trump’s threats to cancel the crucial Gateway Tunnel project, a vital commuter rail connection between New Jersey and New York City. At an event at a Westfield, NJ, train station, Buttigieg not only touted his past work with Sherrill in securing funding for the project but also lambasted the move as “mob boss politics.” Furthermore, he criticized Sherrill’s Republican opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, for not possessing “the backbone” to push back against the former president, declaring, “This state needs a governor who can think for herself, and someone who will put the best interest of the state first.
And there’s only one candidate who will do that.” This appearance, which came just one week after he headlined an event with Virginia nominee Abigail Spanberger and Bill Nye, “The Science Guy,” in Charlottesville, Virginia, illustrates a clear, deliberate strategy to position Buttigieg as a national champion for infrastructure investment and a moderate progressive policy agenda. Beyond the high-visibility events, Buttigieg has also been actively shoring up his financial base, having sent an email to his extensive fundraising list indicating he was “back on the campaign trail” to assist Democratic candidates nationwide, thus quietly consolidating his financial network for a future run.
The Crucial Role of Latino Voters and Community Outreach
Another potential 2028 hopeful who has significantly ramped up his 2025 campaign presence is Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego. His strategy is laser-focused on a critical demographic segment: the Latino voter. Gallego has been a consistent advocate within the party, arguing the Democratic Party must do more extensive outreach to win back and mobilize the Latino community.
Following through on this mission, Gallego is making joint appearances with Abigail Spanberger in Virginia to rally Latino voters, and he is scheduled to hold a similar, targeted event with Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey this weekend. The importance of this work cannot be overstated, as in a state like New Jersey, the Latino vote could be key to picking the next governor, given the widely anticipated close nature of the contest. Gallego’s proactive role in these elections not only seeks to propel the 2025 candidates but also establishes him as an influential leader in national Hispanic politics, a political asset that would be invaluable in a potentially crowded presidential primary field.
This on-the-ground engagement allows him to forge direct relationships with community leaders and voters in states with rapidly growing Latino populations.
Governors, Progressives, and Strategic Redistricting
The intense focus on the 2025 elections extends far beyond Buttigieg and Gallego. A notable lineup of sitting Democratic governors, many of whom harbor higher office ambitions, have descended upon New Jersey and Virginia to boost the candidates they hope will join their ranks.
The visible presence of figures such as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer underscores a key insight from Democratic strategists: “The big names you’re hearing in the Democratic Party are more and more governors.” This trend is seen as particularly helpful to gubernatorial nominees, as having a fellow governor campaign with them can “show the executive experience and show what a governor can do.” Meanwhile, the New York City mayoral race has attracted the star power of the progressive left.
Though the city contest hasn’t drawn as many national party figures as the gubernatorial races, Democratic nominee, democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, has received a significant boost from hometown Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Both are immensely popular figures with the progressive base and are reliably able to draw large, energetic crowds. Ocasio-Cortez declared at one recent rally, “I’m talking to you, Donald Trump… we will work our hearts out to elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani as the next mayor of the great city of New York.”
On the West Coast, California Governor Gavin Newsom has been further propelled into the national conversation by his high-profile campaign for Prop 50, a ballot measure to push through mid-decade redistricting in his state. Newsom, who has stated he will make a decision about 2028 after the midterms, has been an active participant in fundraising efforts, even joining a virtual event with Sherrill for New Jersey’s Democratic campaigns. Furthermore, Governor Pritzker has personally donated six-figures across the New Jersey and Virginia races, demonstrating the significant financial commitment being made to these off-year elections.
While Democratic hopefuls have eagerly stumped this year, the Republican side has seen less attention from presidential aspirants, though Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Byron Donalds have made appearances. All of these high-level movements confirm that the 2025 elections are being viewed as the unmistakable “start” for the highly anticipated 2028 presidential contest.
