Who is running for president in 2028? The next presidential election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2028, and potential Republican and Democratic candidates are already drawing attention as the race for the White House begins to take shape.
Election Central tracks potential and officially announced 2028 presidential candidates, including their political backgrounds, current positions and campaign status. Browse the Republican and Democratic candidate lists below to see who may enter the race.
2028 presidential candidates at a glance
The Republican and Democratic nomination contests will take place through state primaries and caucuses in 2028. The candidate field will change as potential contenders announce campaigns, decline to run or withdraw from the race. Election Central distinguishes potential candidates from those who have formally entered the election.
2028 Presidential Candidates: Republicans and Democrats
Explore the potential 2028 presidential candidates from both major parties. Select All Candidates, Republican or Democratic to filter the list.
The candidates listed below have been discussed in early presidential polling and political coverage. Inclusion does not mean an individual has announced a campaign or intends to run.
2028 Republican Presidential Candidates
Donald Trump Jr.
Business executive and political figure
Business executive and son of President Donald Trump who has been included in early 2028 Republican nomination polling.
Glenn Youngkin
Former governor of Virginia
Former Virginia governor whose name has appeared in early Republican nomination surveys.
JD Vance
Vice president of the United States
Vice president and former U.S. senator from Ohio, included in 2028 Republican nomination surveys.
Marco Rubio
U.S. secretary of state
Former U.S. senator from Florida and candidate for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.
Nikki Haley
Former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor
Former South Carolina governor, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and 2024 Republican presidential candidate.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
U.S. health and human services secretary
A former independent presidential candidate who has also appeared in hypothetical Republican nomination surveys.
Ron DeSantis
Governor of Florida
Florida governor and former 2024 Republican presidential candidate.
Ted Cruz
U.S. senator from Texas
A former 2016 Republican presidential candidate who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2013.
2028 Democratic Presidential Candidates
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
U.S. representative from New York
New York member of the U.S. House of Representatives, first elected in 2018.
Andy Beshear
Governor of Kentucky
Kentucky governor, first elected in 2019 and reelected in 2023.
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
California governor and former mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor of California.
JB Pritzker
Governor of Illinois
Illinois governor, first elected in 2018, included in early Democratic nomination surveys.
Jon Ossoff
U.S. senator from Georgia
Georgia senator, first elected in 2020, discussed in some early 2028 nomination coverage.
Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania governor and former state attorney general, discussed in early 2028 campaign coverage.
Kamala Harris
Former vice president of the United States
Former vice president, U.S. senator and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.
Mark Kelly
U.S. senator from Arizona
Arizona senator, former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy pilot.
Pete Buttigieg
Former U.S. transportation secretary
Former South Bend, Indiana, mayor, transportation secretary and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.
Who Are the Potential Republican Presidential Candidates in 2028?
The 2028 Republican presidential primary will select the party’s nominee to succeed President Donald Trump, whose current term ends in January 2029.
Potential Republican contenders include current and former elected officials, members of the Trump administration and other nationally prominent Republicans. As the campaign develops, candidates will compete for delegates through state primaries and caucuses leading to the Republican National Convention.
Candidate announcements, primary debates, fundraising activity and nomination polling will help define the Republican field as the election approaches.
Who Are the Potential Democratic Presidential Candidates in 2028?
The 2028 Democratic presidential primary will determine the party’s nominee for the general election. Potential candidates include current and former governors, senators, members of Congress and previous presidential candidates.
The Democratic National Committee has approved an early-state primary calendar, with South Carolina scheduled to begin the party’s 2028 nominating contests. Other states will follow as candidates compete for delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Election Central will track candidate announcements, campaign developments and nomination polling as the Democratic presidential field takes shape.
Who Has Officially Announced a 2028 Presidential Campaign?
There is an important difference between being discussed as a potential presidential candidate and officially entering the race.
Political figures may appear in early polls, visit important primary states or discuss the possibility of running without formally launching a presidential campaign.
The candidate directory above distinguishes the following statuses:
- Potential: A possible candidate who has not formally announced a presidential campaign.
- Exploring: An individual publicly taking steps to evaluate a possible presidential campaign.
- Announced: A candidate who has publicly declared a presidential campaign.
- Withdrawn: A candidate who entered the contest but subsequently suspended or ended their campaign.
- Not Running: An individual who has publicly ruled out a 2028 presidential campaign.
Election Central will update candidate classifications as reliable announcements and campaign developments become available.
When Will 2028 Presidential Candidates Announce?
Presidential candidates typically begin announcing their campaigns during the year before the general election, although some launch earlier and others wait until closer to the first primaries.
There is no single announcement deadline for all presidential candidates. State ballot-access requirements, party rules and filing deadlines vary throughout the election cycle.
As campaigns are announced, the candidate directory will reflect changes in the Republican and Democratic fields.
How Are the 2028 Presidential Nominees Selected?
Republican and Democratic presidential candidates compete in state primaries and caucuses to secure delegates to their respective national conventions.
Each party follows its own delegate allocation and nomination rules. Some states hold Republican and Democratic contests on the same date, while others schedule them separately.
Election Central’s 2028 Presidential Election Hub provides information about primary schedules, presidential debates, nomination polling and other important election developments.
2028 Presidential Candidate Polling
National presidential primary polls measure voter preferences among potential and declared candidates competing for their party’s nomination.
Early surveys can reflect candidate recognition and initial voter preferences, but they do not establish who will eventually become a party’s nominee.
Election Central is developing independent polling averages and historical trend charts using individual published surveys. The polling coverage will include Republican and Democratic nomination contests, pollster information, survey dates, sample sizes and candidate support.
When Is the 2028 Presidential Election?
The 2028 United States presidential election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2028.
Before the general election, Republicans and Democrats will choose their presidential nominees through their respective nomination processes. The general-election candidates will then compete for the electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
For additional election information, visit Election Central’s 2028 Presidential Election Guide.
Election Central maintains this presidential candidate directory as the 2028 campaign develops. Candidate status, party information and other details will be revised as new information becomes available.