President-elect Trump will enter the White House in January as a rare single-term president, setting up a near-immediate fight in both parties for who might be their standard bearer in 2028.
As this is Trump’s second term in office, he is Constitutionally forbidden from seeking a third time. He is the first U.S. president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland’s upset return to power in 1885.
“It’s going to be an incredibly unique and historic moment, both parties will have wide open fields,” said Jon Reinish, a New York-based Democratic strategist.
“Democrats would be extremely wise — for once in their lives — to go outside of Washington. In the recent past when they’ve run creatures of Washington, that has not broken through,” Reinish added. “They should be absolutely looking for younger leaders … I am going to be looking at young and dynamic purple and red state governors.”
The Democratic bench is deep. Pennsylvania’s popular Gov. Josh Shapiro — viewed by some as a Jewish Obama — is a top contender for 2028. The keystone state is the biggest battleground prize and a must-win for aspiring presidents of both parties.
Other battleground governors who could contend include Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and outgoing North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.
Though not a swing state, California Gov. Gavin Newsom would loom large in any contest. As recently as 2023 he was pivoting to the middle and boasted about his “incredible relationship” with the president-elect.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg mounted a strong challenge in 2020 and might be in the running.
Dems could also look to celebrity billionaires like Mark Cuban or Oprah Winfrey.
On the Republican side — assuming all goes well — Vice President-elect Vance is the prohibitive favorite.
“It’s very early, but J.D. Vance will clearly be the frontrunner and could position himself as the MAGA heir. He’s proven to be very effective at communicating Trump’s policies to the media, and will have an opportunity to deliver wins as V.P.,” said Garrett Ventry, a Republican political consultant.
But being No. 2 to Trump is historically fraught with peril. Former Vice President Pence was cast into oblivion by Trump after the 2020 presidential election. Pence’s foray into the 2024 race ended before a single primary vote was cast.
Vance also has to be careful not to be seen as openly campaigning too hard for the top job while in office. Pence reportedly caused much irritation in in 2017 when he launched his own political action committee ahead of races that year and in 2020.
Republicans, who are generally more skeptical of coronations than Democrats, almost certainly won’t hand it over to Vance without a fight. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis could be waiting in the wings as well as Vivek Ramaswamy, who will likely be rewarded with a high office in the incoming Trump administration — and could emerge with a glow of his own.
Other Trump favorites expected to be rewarded with cabinet jobs include, North Dakota governor Doug Burgun and House GOP conference chair Elise Stefanik — both of whom could also emerge as 2028 forces.
