First 2028 Democrat Bows Out, Will Not Run for President
The field for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 just got a little less crowded.
During an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore declared he is “not running for president” in 2028, meaning one of the top candidates to lead the Democratic ticket will not be joining what is expected to be a crowded field.
Host Kristen Welker asked Moore if he plans to serve a full term as governor if he wins reelection next year. He told Welker that he does plan to serve the full four-year term, which made her explain that this meant he is no longer running in 2028.
“Do you rule out a run for president, governor?” Welker asked him.
“Yeah, I’m not running for president,” Moore responded.
She responded, “You rule it out?”
Moore then told her, “Yes, I’m not running for president.”
At that point, Welker asked him to triple clarify his intentions, asking if he “completely” ruled it out.
“I’m so excited about what we’re doing. That we’ve gone from 43rd in the country in unemployment to now one of the lowest unemployment rates. We’ve had amongst the fastest drops in violent crime anywhere in the United States of America. Our population is growing. Maryland is moving, and so I’m really excited about going back in front of the people of my state and asking for another term,” Moore said.
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The betting platform Polymarket launched its 2028 presidential election sweepstakes a few weeks ago, giving users a chance to buy and sell shares on who they believe will win the White House.
Vice President JD Vance is the early favorite overall, sitting at 27 percent, according to the site.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom trails behind at 17 percent, followed by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 10 percent.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and others round out the top of the board.
Kamala Harris, who was the Democrats’ 2024 nominee and former vice president, sits far down the list at just 4 percent, one point behind President Trump, who is constitutionally barred from running again after completing two terms.
Among Democrats, Newsom leads the field with a 22 percent chance, followed by Ocasio-Cortez at 18 percent, Buttigieg at 12 percent, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 7 percent, and Harris at 6 percent.
On the Republican side, Vance dominates. He holds a commanding 56 percent lead over second-place Marco Rubio, who trails far behind at just 6 percent.
Vance’s position as the clear GOP frontrunner comes after he took over as RNC campaign finance chair in March, the first sitting vice president to hold the role. It’s made him one of the party’s top fundraisers heading into the 2026 midterms and beyond, The Daily Caller reported.
He’s also become a regular presence in high-profile interviews, helping push key Trump administration picks like Director of Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. through the Senate.
Rep. Byron Donalds called Vance “the leader in the clubhouse” earlier this year and said he’d be tough to beat in 2028.
Newsom, meanwhile, continues making moves of his own. He’s appeared in several high-traffic interviews with right-leaning hosts and remains very active online, which are signs that many believe point to a future run.
He’s also earned support from South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, one of the most influential Democrats in the country. At an event in early July, Clyburn appeared beside Newsom and said he “feels good about” his chances in 2028.
Clyburn’s endorsement was critical in President Biden’s 2020 primary win and helped turn around his campaign at a pivotal moment.
Polymarket, which calls itself the largest prediction market in the world, lets users place bets on political events and outcomes. The site has gained attention for being surprisingly accurate in past election cycles.
