Several top Democrats
Several top Democrats, such as former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, are all expected to run for president in 2028.
But one young, up-and-coming figure says he is not planning to jump into the race, CNN noted.
Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore says he will not run for president in 2028, despite being frequently touted among Democrats as a prospective presidential contender.
That hasn’t prevented continuous speculation about his future political aspirations, especially since he continues to make engagements outside of Maryland, which boost his national image. On Friday, he will fly to South Carolina, an early presidential primary state, to speak at the Blue Palmetto Dinner.
When questioned about 2028, the governor was straightforward.
“I’m not running,” Moore told The Associated Press in an interview. He also said, when asked, that he isn’t trying to get his name in the conversation for a potential vice presidential candidacy, either.
Moore downplayed his high-profile trips to battleground states, including a recent trip to South Carolina.
“And people should get very used to me going all over the country bringing business back to Maryland, because that’s exactly what I plan on doing as long as I’m the governor of the state,” Moore said after a dedication in Annapolis for a memorial to former Rep. Parren Mitchell.
Moore, who is in the third year of his first term, expects to compete for reelection in predominantly Democratic Maryland next year. He said becoming the state’s governor during a difficult period requires his whole attention.
Another name continues to be floated as making early moves before 2028: Pete Buttigieg.
Buttigieg continues to force his way into the digital media sphere, defying traditional Democratic standards as talk of a presidential run grows.
The former secretary came to Washington this week to attend an event with Democratic content producers and make some media appearances, as talk mounts about a 2028 presidential run following Buttigieg’s revelation that he will not compete for the open Michigan Senate or gubernatorial seat.
Buttigieg spoke with the Washington Examiner about his views on new media, how to engage people who do not identify with established parties, the current political landscape, and what he is doing to assure the success of his party after leaving the Biden administration.
“I’m using my voice best I can in traditional media and new media, and I’m going to continue having conversations with neighbors, with voters, talking about how we could have a better way,” Buttigieg told the Washington Examiner. “I don’t know what that means for me, politically or professionally, a long way from making any decisions about that, but I know that’s what I need to be doing right now.”
Ezra Klein of the New York Times labeled Buttigieg the “Democratic Party’s acknowledged best-of-class communicator” last year, just weeks before the Democrats suffered a severe defeat in November.
Throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, President Donald Trump made several visits on podcasts and forums popular among young people, one of which being Joe Rogan’s podcast.
“It’s certainly shadow primary season. Pete’s strategy so far is on point,” influencer and CEO of Girl and the Gov Sammy Kanter told the Washington Examiner.
“He’s going on podcasts, and with that, he’s meeting Americans where they are on both sides of the aisle. He’s interacting with creators and taking the online sphere in a serious manner, as it should be. And he’s excelling in that space because he is able to explain complex happenings in an approachable way,” Kanter continued.
In April, Buttigieg cleared the path for a 2028 presidential campaign after announcing that he would not run for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
BREAKING: Bret Baier cuts into live broadcast with urgent update on Trump1
Fox News’ Bret Baier Caught on Video Getting Ticketed in D.C. amid Trump’s Police Takeover
"I didn't know there was paparazzi," Baier said after footage of him getting pulled over was shared to X
Fox News anchor Bret Baier was ticketed in Washington, D.C., amid President Donald Trump's overhaul of the city's police.
One week after the president seized control of the Metropolitan Police Department — a move he claimed would help to fight crime and target the city's homeless population — Baier, 55, was seen getting a ticket for distracted driving by an MPD officer.Fox News' Bret Baier gets a ticket in Washington, D.C.
Roy Rochlin/Getty; Mollaan Babbington Group of COMPASS via Storyful
The Special Report host explained in a post on X that he picked up his phone as he drove past an officer in Georgetown, resulting in the ticket. As in much of the rest of the United States, it is illegal to use a cellphone while simultaneously driving in Washington, unless hands-free technology is being used.
"I didn't know there was paparazzi," Baier added at the end of his message.Members of the National Guard patrol at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 14, 2025.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty
After the president announced his administration's takeover of Washington, D.C., law enforcement on Aug. 11, the Metropolitan Police Department fell under federal control. Attorney General Pam Bondi was put in charge of the D.C. police, and Trump warned he was ready to deploy other military forces "if needed."
The capital takeover prompted widespread protests, confrontations at ICE checkpoints and further curfews. Although the citizen response is largely negative, the Trump administration has expressed satisfaction with how the takeover is unfolding.Trump claimed the move was in response to a "public safety emergency," despite local crime data showing otherwise. The president has accused city officials of falsifying data.
The Washington, D.C., takeover was initially planned to be 30 days long, though Trump has expressed desire to extend the period — and apply the same methods in other U.S. cities.
"Our whole country is going to be so different and so great," Trump said on Aug. 13. "It's going to be clean and safe and beautiful, and people are going to love our flag more than they've ever loved it. And we're going to do a great job."
BREAKING: Bret Baier cuts into live broadcast with urgent update on Trump
Fox News’ Bret Baier Caught on Video Getting Ticketed in D.C. amid Trump’s Police Takeover
"I didn't know there was paparazzi," Baier said after footage of him getting pulled over was shared to X
Fox News anchor Bret Baier was ticketed in Washington, D.C., amid President Donald Trump's overhaul of the city's police.
One week after the president seized control of the Metropolitan Police Department — a move he claimed would help to fight crime and target the city's homeless population — Baier, 55, was seen getting a ticket for distracted driving by an MPD officer.
Fox News' Bret Baier gets a ticket in Washington, D.C.
Roy Rochlin/Getty; Mollaan Babbington Group of COMPASS via Storyful
The Special Report host explained in a post on X that he picked up his phone as he drove past an officer in Georgetown, resulting in the ticket. As in much of the rest of the United States, it is illegal to use a cellphone while simultaneously driving in Washington, unless hands-free technology is being used.
"I didn't know there was paparazzi," Baier added at the end of his message.Members of the National Guard patrol at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 14, 2025.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty
After the president announced his administration's takeover of Washington, D.C., law enforcement on Aug. 11, the Metropolitan Police Department fell under federal control. Attorney General Pam Bondi was put in charge of the D.C. police, and Trump warned he was ready to deploy other military forces "if needed."
The capital takeover prompted widespread protests, confrontations at ICE checkpoints and further curfews. Although the citizen response is largely negative, the Trump administration has expressed satisfaction with how the takeover is unfolding.Trump claimed the move was in response to a "public safety emergency," despite local crime data showing otherwise. The president has accused city officials of falsifying data.
The Washington, D.C., takeover was initially planned to be 30 days long, though Trump has expressed desire to extend the period — and apply the same methods in other U.S. cities.
"Our whole country is going to be so different and so great," Trump said on Aug. 13. "It's going to be clean and safe and beautiful, and people are going to love our flag more than they've ever loved it. And we're going to do a great job."
