Political speculation for the 2028 United States presidential election is already underway, with a prominent CNN panel identifying the early Democratic frontrunners and introducing a significant new name into the conversation.
The CNN Panel's Early Forecast
During a recent segment of CNN's Inside Politics, host Dana Bash and her guests examined the latest odds from prediction market company Kalshi. The discussion, which took place on Wednesday, highlighted a notable shift in potential candidates for the Democratic nomination, despite the election being over three years away.
California Governor Gavin Newsom currently leads the pack with a 36 percent chance of securing the nomination. Bash noted his odds "shot up" in August following his successful campaign for Proposition 50, a move to change congressional maps in response to similar actions in Texas.
Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) trails significantly with a 9 percent chance, while former Vice President Kamala Harris sits further behind at 7 percent.
A New Name Enters the Frame
The most intriguing development from the panel was the addition of Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia to the list of potential contenders. Bloomberg opinion columnist Nia Malika Henderson advocated for his inclusion, praising him as an "incredibly talented politician" who has proven he can win in the crucial battleground state of Georgia.
Warnock, elected as Georgia's first Black senator in 2021, has served as the pastor of Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church for nearly two decades. His recent speech at the Center for American Progress, focusing on spirituality and affordability, was cited as evidence of his broadening national profile.
Warnock's Message and the Trump Response
In his address, Senator Warnock spoke of a "spiritual heaviness in the land" and warned against the politics of division. "Donald Trump, if he’s better at something than anybody else, it’s dividing us," he stated, before criticising the former president's economic record.
Trump later retaliated on his Truth Social platform, accusing Warnock of using religion to divide the country and questioning the separation of church and state. Warnock responded via an Instagram video, saying, "My faith is not a weapon, it’s a bridge, and I invite you to Bible study."
While affordability remains a key issue, the panel noted that inflation is cooling, with the Consumer Price Index showing a 2.7 percent annual rise in November, down from 3 percent in September.
Despite the early 2028 speculation, Democrats face the more immediate challenge of the 2026 midterm elections. To regain control of Congress, the party needs a net gain of approximately four Senate seats and five House of Representatives seats.
