Josh Shapiro Pennsylvania

The Issue Of Age And Potential Democratic Presidential Contenders In 2028

The issue of age is a consideration as Democrats plan for the upcoming Presidential nomination process for the Presidential Election of 2028, once the Midterms in November are resolved.

With the last two Presidents being the oldest nominees and Presidents in American history, and the reality of signs of aging that have been exposed about both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, age is definitely an important consideration.

So this author and blogger has done research into the present age of the list of 25 potential contenders discussed two days ago on this blog.

Of course, the age of all 25 will increase by three years until the inauguration on January 20, 2029, so that is a consideration beyond the momentary statistics at this point of time.

Presently, there are two potential contenders who are in their late 30s–Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (36) and Jon Ossoff (39), so Ocasio-Cortez would still be under age 40 at the time of the inauguration, while Ossoff would be early 40s at nearly age 42, still in either case, the youngest President in American history.

Six of the potential Presidential contenders are presently in their 40s, bringing back the memory of John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Presently, they are Pete Buttigieg (44), Ruben Gallego (46), Wes Moore (47), Andy Beshear (48), Elissa Slotkin (49), and Ro Khanna (49). Of course, by Inauguration Day 2029, only Buttigieg and Gallego will still be under 50.

Eight of the potential Presidential contenders are presently in their 50s, including Jared Polis (50), Josh Shapiro (52), Chris Murphy (52), Gretchen Whitmer (54), Cory Booker (56), Raphael Warnock (56), Josh Green (56), and Gavin Newsom (58). All would still be under the age of 60, except Newsom, on Inauguration Day 2029.

Finally, nine of the potential Presidential contenders are presently in their 60s, including Mark Kelly (61) Kamala Harris (61), JB Pritzker (61), Jon Stewart (63), Jamie Raskin (63), Adam Schiff (65), Rahm Emanuel (66); Chris Van Hollen (67), and Mark Cuban (67).

So both Chris Van Hollen and Mark Cuban would be past the age of 70 on Inauguration Day, and Adam Schiff and Rahm Emanuel would reach age 70 during their four year term in office.

It is likely some of this long list of 25 contenders will end up not announcing, but this analysis of age is enlightening for discussion!

An All Time High Number Of Potential Jewish Democratic Presidential Contenders In 2028!

There is a possibility that America might see an all time high number of potential Democratic Presidential contenders who are of Jewish heritage in the upcoming Presidential Election of 2028.

As now perceived, there could be ELEVEN Jewish contenders:

Governors
Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania
JD Pritzker of Illinois
Jared Polis of Colorado
Josh Green of Hawaii

Senators
Jon Ossoff of Georgia
Elissa Slotkin of Michigan
Adam Schiff of California

House Of Representatives
Jamie Raskin of Maryland

Cabinet and Ambassadorships
Rahm Emanuel of Illinois

Outside of Government
Mark Cuban
Jon Stewart

Speculation Begins On Potential Democratic Presidential Contenders

It is nine months until the Midterm Elections of 2026 for Congress, and state and local government.

But already, speculation has begun on who might run for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2028, and the list is long, and not just the usual speculated candidates.

Among those assumed to be likely to run are, in no special order:

Former Vice President Kamala Harris
California Governor Gavin Newsom
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

But beyond these much speculated potential candidates, there is a much longer list of others, in no special order:

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Former Chicago Mayor and Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel
California Congressman Ro Khanna
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff
Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego
Billionaire Entrepreneur Mark Cuban
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin
Hawaii Governor Josh Green
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen
Comedian and Political Commentator Jon Stewart
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
California Senator Adam Schiff

So the total potential list is at least 25 candidates, and who knows, if someone not on this list joins the fray!

There are 8 Governors on the list; 9 US Senators; 3 House members; two former Mayors and Cabinet members or Ambassadors; two outside government leaders; and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

And the list is extremely diverse in nature, including:

4 Women
6 White Male Christian
2 Latinos
4 African Americans
1 Hindu
11 Jews
2 Gays
2 Outside of Government

Incumbent Democratic Gubernatorial Races In 2026 And Potential Of Democratic Gubernatorial Presidential Nominee In 2028!

Many Democratic Governors are seeking reelection, and are in good shape to win in November 2026.

This includes the following Incumbent Governors:

Arizona–Katie Hobbs
Connecticut–Ned Lamont
Hawaii–Josh Green
Illinois–JD Pritzker
Maryland–Wes Moore
Massachusetts–Maura Healey
New York–Kathy Hochul
Oregon–Tina Kotek
Pennsylvania–Josh Shapiro
Rhode Island–Dan McKee

Included in the above list are three Governors who are perceived as likely Presidential contenders for the Democratic Party in 2028—JD Pritzker, Wes Moore, and Josh Shapiro.

Three “retiring” Democratic Governors are also seen as likely to be Presidential contenders:

California—Gavin Newsom
Colorado—Jared Polis
Michigan—Gretchen Whitmer

There certainly is no lack of qualified and competent Governors in the Democratic Party, and the odds that a sitting or former Governor might be the Democratic Presidential nominee in 2028 is quite high!

Democratic Governors Rich Mine For Presidency!

It turns out that in the midst of the Trump Authoritarian Crisis the nation faces, that it is much more Democratic Governors than Democratic members of Congress who are actively on the attack against the abuses perpetrated by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), and the utilization of the National Guard in Washington DC, Los Angeles, and threatened expansion to Chicago and other “Blue” cities and states.

In so doing, the following group of Governors are raising attention as leading potential Democratic Presidential contenders for 2028, including

Gavin Newsom of California
JD Pritzker of Illinois
Wes Moore of Maryland
Andy Beshear of Kentucky
Tim Walz of Minnesota
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan
Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania

In addition, other Democratic Governors, although not seen as likely Presidential contenders, are actively challenging the Trump policies including:

Kathy Hochul of New York
Ned Lamont of Connecticut
Jared Polis of Colorado
Katie Hobbs of Arizona
Maura Healey of Massachusetts
Phil Murphy of New Jersey
Josh Stein of North Carolina
Tony Evers of Wisconsin

Inspirational Members Of Congress Fighting Trump

At a time when the Democratic Party has very low public opinion ratings, after the disappointing loss of Kamala Harris to Donald Trump, and the loss of three Senate seats, there are a group of inspirational members of the party in both houses of Congress who are actively campaigning in Republican districts, and speaking out with force against the terrible and tragic effects of Trump.

They include the following in the House of Represenatives

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
Jasmine Crockett of Texas
Maxwell Frost of Florida
Robert Garcia of California
Ro Khanna of California
Jamie Raskin of Maryland

In the Senate, they include:

Cory Booker of New Jersey
Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Adam Schiff of California
Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Bernie Sanders of Vermont

Some of these members, many of them very young, are seen as the long term future of the party, and some are perceived as potential presidential contenders in the future, including

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Ro Khanna
Cory Booker
Chris Murphy

Of course, there are others, including state governors who are making clear of their pursuit of challenging the actions of Donald Trump, including

JB Pritzker of Illinois
Andy Beshear of Kentucky
Wes Moore of Maryland
Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania
Jared Polis of Colorado

So in the midst of difficult times, there are hopes for the future, as the “bench” of the Democratic Party is strong and vibrant!

A Multitude Of Qualified Democrats For 2028, As Party Assesses The Future!

A week after the disturbing defeat of Kamala Harris, causing great distress and dismay among Democrats, including this author and blogger, it is important to learn from the disappointment and plan for the future.

The Democratic Party cannot move toward the center Right, if it means ever to offer a reasonable alternative.

However, that does not mean that it should adopt Bernie Sanders Left Wing type progressivism, which, despite what some say, would never be accepted by voters at large as an alternative in the future.

The party needs to continue to promote mainstream progressivism and liberalism, including labor rights, protection of the environment, and enforcement of basic civil rights for the growing Latino minority, African Americans, Asian Americans, gays and lesbians, and women, along with promotion of more voter education as to the details and effects of government policies.

The idea that Latino males, young people, and white women would think of Donald Trump as the better alternative is shocking, so therefore the need for greater voter education is essential.

And as the Democrats ponder their future, it is blessed with a multitude of qualified Presidential contenders!

This includes the following Governors:

Gavin Newsom, California
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania
Wes Moore, Maryland
Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan
Andy Beshear, Kentucky
J D Pritzker, Illinois
Jared Polis, Colorado
Tim Walz, Minnesota
Josh Stein, North Carolina

Additionally, there are US Senators in the mix, including

Christoper Murphy, Connecticut
Jon Ossoff, Georgia
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Cory Booker, New Jersey

Also, present Transportation Secretary and former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is rumored to be planning to run for Michigan Governor, to succeed Gretchen Whitmer, who is term limited from running for reelection in 2026.

To assume that Donald Trump and his party will be able to keep public opinion on his side over the next four years is failing to realize that it is certain there will be a major negative reaction to the agenda that is now being imposed on America by aggressive and extreme Right wing forces!

Democrats must be optimistic and willing to work hard for the future of common decency and empathy as part of American principles!

Pennsylvania Gains More Campaign Events, Crucial To Harris Victory!

Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, is gaining more campaign events and attention than any other “Swing” or “Battleground” state.

That is because Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, offers more than any other of those states.

The indication is that Pennsylvania is likely to go to Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, but there is growing trepidation about that matter.

If, by some chance, Harris does not win Pennsylvania on November 5, there will be plenty of “Monday Morning Quarterbacking”, that will say that the fatal mistake was Harris passing by extremely popular and charismatic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her Vice Presidential running mate.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is inspiring and has done an excellent job, but the fear of failure is still omnipresent!

Should Kamala Harris Go “Radical”, Or Stay Safe In VP Selection?

With the controversial JD Vance making waves in a negative way, and undermining Donald Trump, the question arises, with about a week until the decision on the Vice Presidential nominee for Kamala Harris, whether Harris should go “radical”, or stay safe in her selection.

If Harris were to choose to go “radical”, then Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan or Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, will be selected, as choosing a woman or a gay male would be seen as “radical”.

A less “radical choice” would be Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, or JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois, as both are Jewish, and already with a potential Jewish First Gentleman Douglas Emhoff.

If Harris chooses to go traditionally, then the choice would be among Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina; Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky; Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota; or Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.

There is also the issue of age, as Kelly, Walz, and Cooper are older than Harris, and Pritzker is only months younger, while Buttigieg, Beshear, Shapiro, and Whitmer are much younger, so any of them could be Presidential material after serving as VP under Harris.

Kamala Harris Begins Her Presidential Campaign Against Evil Of Donald Trump And JD Vance

It is a bit more than 24 hours since Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race, but already his Vice President, Kamala Harris, is gaining widespread support for the nomination, and there has been a great surge in campaign contributions of nearly $81 million in one day!

Harris seems highly likely to have no real competition for the nomination a month from now, so the question of who should be her running mate will be most important.

There are a wealth of possible alternatives, with six candidates discussed by this author and blogger two days ago.

At this moment, speculation is centering around Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, but with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also being mentioned.

One thing for sure: A younger, new generation of leadership is challenging the opponent, Donald Trump, who is elderly, clearly mentally deranged in his statements, including nastiness toward Joe Biden, rather than grace as he leaves the fray.

His running mate, JD Vance, is a threat to the nation long term with his connection to Project 2025, which would destroy American democracy and the rule of law!

So the battle has begun for the future of the nation, and it cannot afford to be lost, anymore than the case with Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940!