The DNC's winter meeting in Los Angeles brought together high-profile Democrats Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom and J.B. Pritzker to review strong 2025 results and prepare for the 2026 midterms. While the session focused on immediate electoral strategy and training, it also doubled as an early stage for potential 2028 presidential contenders to be evaluated. More than a dozen other governors, senators and representatives are active in early primary states, signaling a crowded and competitive 2028 field. Party leaders expect many prospective candidates to stay engaged in 2026 to help elect House and Senate allies.
2028 Takes Center Stage: Harris, Newsom and Pritzker Meet at High-Stakes DNC Winter Session
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, center, and JD Pritzker of Illinois.
Three of the Democratic Party's most prominent figures — former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker — converged at the Democratic National Committee's annual winter meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Focus: 2026 Strategy With 2028 Glimpses
The gathering, attended by hundreds of DNC members and party officials, centered on reviewing the party's decisive 2025 election victories, analyzing stronger-than-expected showings in recent special elections, and running training sessions to prepare organizers and candidates for the 2026 midterms. With the informal start of the 2028 presidential cycle less than a year away, the meeting also served as an early platform for potential 2028 contenders to be seen and evaluated.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Emerge 20th Anniversary Gala in San Francisco, California, on April 30, 2025.
Inside The Conference
Longtime New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley, a member of the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee, told Fox News the conference is "overwhelmingly 2026," while acknowledging there is "interest in 2028." He added that major party gatherings provide a spotlight for the party's marquee figures: "These major confabs are an opportunity for all of our stars to address the DNC."
"It sets the tone not just for a Democratic landslide in the 2026 midterm elections, but it gives them an opportunity to start honing in on a winning message for Democrats in 2028," a DNC committee member said on condition of anonymity.
Harris, who declined a 2026 gubernatorial bid in California earlier this year, has left the door open for 2028. In an October interview with the BBC she said, "I am not done. I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones." Newsom told CBS News he would give a presidential bid "serious thought" after the 2026 midterms, and Pritzker, who is running for a third term as Illinois governor, has said he "can't rule anything out." Pritzker also hosted a DNC fundraiser on Thursday evening.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Sacramento, California.
All three have been active in early primary states or traveling nationally this year: Newsom visited South Carolina; Pritzker traveled to New Hampshire and Nevada; and Harris has been crisscrossing the country on a book tour.
A Broader Field of Contenders
Beyond Harris, Newsom and Pritzker, more than a dozen Democrats are frequently mentioned as potential 2028 contenders and have been active on the campaign trail. Notable figures include Governors Josh Shapiro (PA), Andy Beshear (KY), Wes Moore (MD) and Gretchen Whitmer (MI); Senators Cory Booker (NJ), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Ruben Gallego (AZ), Mark Kelly (AZ) and Chris Murphy (CT); Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and Ro Khanna (CA); former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; and former Chicago Mayor and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks to the press on Sept. 2, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois.
Party strategists expect many of these figures to remain heavily involved throughout 2026, lending time and resources to House and Senate campaigns as Democrats aim to reclaim the House majority and compete for the Senate.
Why It Matters: The winter meeting highlights how short-term electoral strategy (2026) and longer-term positioning (2028) are increasingly intertwined. For party leaders and potential candidates alike, the conference provided early signals about messaging, organizing capacity and who is building the networks that could shape the next presidential contest.
