Democratic Sen. John Fetterman didn’t shut down the idea of running for president in 2028. He spoke with Chuck Todd on “The Chuck ToddCast” and left the door open. When asked directly, he didn’t say no.
The Washington Post listed Fetterman as one of 12 Democrats to watch for 2028. They highlighted his independence from the Democratic Party. Todd asked if he might run or if he was just clearing the way for someone else.
“I am focusing right now on just the burgeoning kinds of chaos and trying to find a balance and find a way forward,” Fetterman said. “And, you know, doing things that I know that will anger parts of my base. I hope that there is room in my party for someone who wants that kind of truth.”
Todd pressed again. Was he making space for someone else—or thinking about jumping in himself?
“I don’t know,” Fetterman said, before Todd cut in to note he wasn’t ruling it out.
“I’m not afraid of being honest. And now if there is going to be blowback or I’m punished, I get that. But for me, I think it’s more important to be honest and to describe the danger of where we possibly are at,” Fetterman said. “And we have to stop and think before we make another significant mistake that’s even more and more difficult to come back from.”
Todd concluded the senator was “not a no for ’28.” Fetterman replied, “What I’m saying is that there will be a 2028.”
Fetterman’s approach has set him apart in the party. He was the first known sitting Democratic senator to visit Trump at Mar-a-Lago after the 2023 election. He’s also clashed with Democrats over Israel policy since the war with Hamas began.
Other 2028 Democratic hopefuls have been floated. They include Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Rahm Emanuel, Pete Buttigieg, and governors like Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro, Andy Beshear, and Wes Moore. Polls show Harris leading among Democrats, followed by Buttigieg and Newsom.
Todd recently said Harris should step back from politics for now. “If I were advising her, I’d tell her: go throw yourself into the rebuild of LA and get involved with the LA Olympic Committee,” he said. “Be above politics for a couple of years and come back maybe in 2030 or 2032.”
Other Democrats face different hurdles. Mark Halperin said Buttigieg might struggle because he’s “short and gay.” Stephen A. Smith cast doubt on Newsom, pointing to California’s issues—homelessness, crime, and cost of living.
Political strategists remain skeptical. They don’t think current Democratic names can rally the party and take back the White House.