Buttigieg Leads 2028 Democratic Field in New Poll \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A new national poll shows Pete Buttigieg leading the 2028 Democratic presidential primary field. The former transportation secretary received 31.5% support, ahead of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Kamala Harris. The AtlasIntel poll surveyed over 3,400 voters nationwide.
Quick Looks
- Pete Buttigieg leads with 31.5% support among Democratic voters.
- AOC follows with 19.4%, Kamala Harris at 16.6%.
- AtlasIntel conducted the poll May 21–27 with 3,469 U.S. adults.
- Cory Booker and Gavin Newsom trail further behind in the poll.
- Nate Silver called Ocasio-Cortez a likely contender for 2028.
- AOC has one of the highest favorability ratings among Democrats.
- Newsom is repositioning to appeal to centrist voters.
- Buttigieg says 2028 decision is still a “long way off.”
- On the GOP side, JD Vance leads with 37.3%.
- Marco Rubio, Donald Trump Jr. trail behind among Republicans.
Deep Look
With the 2024 election cycle in the rearview mirror, speculation is growing around the 2028 presidential race — and a new national poll shows Pete Buttigieg emerging as the early Democratic frontrunner.
According to a new AtlasIntel poll, released this week and reported by Breitbart, the former Secretary of Transportation and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate is the top choice among Democratic voters for the party’s 2028 nomination, securing 31.5% of support from Democrat-identifying respondents. This puts Buttigieg ahead of other prominent names, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The poll, conducted May 21–27, surveyed 3,469 U.S. adults across a range of demographics. While a margin of error was not listed, the sample size provides a snapshot of early Democratic sentiment as political figures begin to maneuver behind the scenes for national relevance.
Ocasio-Cortez came in second with 19.4%, followed by Harris at 16.6%. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) earned 10.4%, and California Governor Gavin Newsom received 7.1%. Though trailing in the current poll, Newsom has been working to rebrand himself on the national stage. According to the Associated Press, he is attempting to move closer to the political center in preparation for a possible presidential campaign, shedding what many perceive as a “San Francisco liberal” image.
Nate Silver and Analysts Weigh In
Election analyst Nate Silver, writing in April on his Substack, The Silver Bulletin, described Ocasio-Cortez as the likely figure to “lead Democrats into the next presidential cycle,” noting her strong appeal among progressive voters and high favorability within the party.
Silver also gave high marks to AtlasIntel, calling the firm the “most accurate pollster of the 2024 election.” His analysis was echoed by Galen Druke, formerly of the FiveThirtyEight podcast, who referenced a Yale University survey showing AOC with one of the highest net favorability ratings among Democrats, further solidifying her status as a rising contender.
Still, Buttigieg’s early lead may reflect broad name recognition, government experience, and an ability to balance progressive and centrist appeal. Having previously run for president in 2020 and served under the Biden administration, Buttigieg has stayed visible through media appearances and commentary on infrastructure and transportation policy.
When asked about his 2028 plans during a Substack Live interview on May 13, Buttigieg was non-committal. “There are times I follow that process and decided to run, and there are times I followed that process and decided not to run — and the process can lead you to surprising places,” he said, adding, “any kind of decision process there is a long way off,” as reported by Newsweek.
GOP Preferences: JD Vance Leads Republican Poll
The AtlasIntel poll also gauged preferences among Republican-identifying voters. Vice President JD Vance led with 37.3% support, positioning himself as a potential heir to the Trump-era GOP base. Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed with 18.7%, while Donald Trump Jr. garnered 8.8%. Notably, 15.6% of Republican voters selected “none of the above,” reflecting continued uncertainty about the party’s future leadership.
JD Vance’s rise comes after his high-profile vice presidency and strong appeal among populist conservatives. His position as the top Republican choice for 2028 may indicate a continuation of Trump-aligned politics, even in a post-Trump political landscape.
Looking Ahead
While the 2028 presidential election is still years away, early polling can offer a glimpse into party dynamics, voter sentiment, and how past political figures are perceived following their tenure in office. For Buttigieg, a strong showing this early underscores his staying power in Democratic politics and the possibility of a second presidential run. For Ocasio-Cortez and Harris, the poll signals both opportunities and challenges as they shape their political narratives for the next national cycle.
With new polls, speeches, and policy moves likely to emerge in the coming months, the 2028 race is already taking form — with Buttigieg holding a notable early advantage.
Buttigieg Leads 2028
You must Register or Login to post a comment.