Nine days after next month’s midterm elections, three prominent Democrats widely believed to have presidential ambitions will join other potential 2028 candidates in Denver to discuss the party’s future.
Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, along with Rep. Ro Khanna of California, are among the latest additions planning to join the “What’s Next” summit, according to an updated list of attendees first shared with CBS News.
All three lawmakers identify as progressives and all three have gained national attention for their political ambitions in recent years. Booker ran for president in 2020 but dropped out before the early primaries. Khanna described himself as a “long-shot presidential candidate,” and Van Hollen acknowledged he was “kicking the tires” on a possible 2028 run.
The three have also introduced tax plans that could be precursors to the 2028 platforms.
The meeting will take place Nov. 12-14 and is organized by Majority Democrats, a group formed last year by largely moderate elected officials and other high-profile Democrats who say they are “committed to reshaping and growing the Democratic Party.”
Chaired by Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts, the organization says it wants to take lessons from the 2026 election for the next presidential election, in part by bringing together key voices from different factions of the party.
“Democrats have talked a big game about building a ‘big tent’ that can hold a majority. The sad reality is that we were all hats and no cattle when it came time to live up to those ideals,” said Matt Corridoni, a spokesman for the Democratic majority. “What’s Next is an opportunity for Democrats from all wings of the party to have the open and often difficult conversations we need to win in 2028.”
The final three candidates join an early slate of other possible presidential contenders, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
The governors. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey plan to attend, along with other members of Congress and political strategists.
Democrats hope to take control of the House in November’s midterm elections and carry that momentum through to the 2028 presidential election.
Many believe the party has yet to find a political identity after losing the White House in 2024, and moderate and progressive Democrats disagree on the party’s direction. This split did not help the party win over voters: In a February CBS News pollmost voters described the Democratic Party as “weak.”
Presidential candidates could begin launching their campaigns in the coming months, and some possible 2028 candidates have sought to increase their visibility during the midterm campaign, appearing alongside Democrats in key states. new York Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez And former Vice President Kamala Harris both traveled to Michigan this fall to campaign with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. California Gov. Gavin Newsom campaigned in New Hampshire last weekend with Rep. Chris Pappas, who is in a tight Senate race.
Organizers chose to hold the first What’s Next summit in Denver because it is one of the cities considered to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. More than 2,000 people are expected, according to a source familiar with the planning.
“Winning in 2028 will require us to come together to take the best ideas from all corners of the Democratic Party and integrate them into an agenda that can build a lasting majority and serve the American people,” said Democratic Majority Executive Director Rohan Patel.
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