New Poll Shows Surprising Favorite For Democratic 2028 Nomination

Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg led all other candidates in a 2028 Hypothetical Democratic Primary survey conducted by Emerson Polling.

The poll, which was shared on Friday (June 27), has Buttigieg at 16%, leading former Vice President and 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris at 13%, California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 12%, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 7% and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 7%. Undecided voters, however, were the overall majority at 23%.

The full results from the Emerson College 2028 Hypothetical Democratic Primary survey are included below:

1. Pete Buttigieg- 16%
2. Kamala Harris- 13%
3. Gavin Newsom- 12%
4. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez- 7%
5. Josh Shapiro- 7%
6. Bernie Sanders - 5%
7. Cory Booker- 3%
8. Gretchen Whitmer- 3%
9. Andy Beshear - 2%
10. JB Pritzker - 2%
11. Wes Moore- 2%
12. Amy Klobuchar- 1%
13. Rahm Emanuel- 1%
14. Someone else- 2%
15. Undecided- 23%

Buttigieg had a significant increase in support from the November Emerson Hypothetical 2028 Primary survey, which saw him get a 4% share of support trailing Harris at 37% and Newsom at 7%.

Vice President JD Vance is the overwhelming favorite in the 2028 Republican Hypothetical Primary at 46%, leading Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 12%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 9%, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at 5% and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem at 2%.