Democrats Celebrate Midterm Win, Look to 2028 Presidential Election

Hundreds of Democratic party operatives, strategists, and potential 2028 presidential candidates gathered in Denver to discuss the party's future after a sweeping midterm win. The event, titled "What's Next," took place at the Mission Ballroom and featured speeches, donor dinners, and hotel rooftop receptions. Attendees were elated, but influential Democratic data guru David Shor warned that voters who have turned away from the party are still out there and have not become Democrats yet.

The gathering highlighted divisions within the party, with some calling for an uncompromising fighter from the left wing to dominate the nominating contest, while others advocated for a candidate who can appeal to voters who rejected the party's culture-war politics. Texas Sen.-elect James Talarico said the party must work with President Trump to achieve change, while Iowa's incoming Democratic governor, Rob Sand, emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who co-chaired Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, delivered a jab at the Clinton era, saying the party cannot win by "cobbling together a fleeting big tent through perpetual triangulating, straddling, and calculating." Khanna is widely expected to run for president in 2028 as an unapologetic progressive. His comments reflected the anger emanating from the party's base, which was also evident in protests outside the event.

Protests outside the event featured signs that read "Abolish billionaires," "No Schumer coronation," and "No more do-nothing Democrats." A Denver SWAT vehicle was parked between the protesters and the rideshare dropoff line. Inside, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen announced his challenge to Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader, and likely incoming House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries was heckled by the audience.

Despite divisions, the atmosphere inside the event was celebratory, with food trucks, musical acts, and comfortable weather. Attendees mingled late into the night at the Ritz-Carlton bar, where Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, Pete Buttigieg, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro were spotted. The FAA ground stop on Friday evening gave attendees a chance to connect with each other.

The event's real business unfolded offstage, with a focus on recruiting staff and making connections for presidential campaigns. Strategists and operatives discussed possible candidates, including those who weren't in attendance, such as Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Their decisions to run or not will shape the rest of the field.

The midterm win has given the party momentum, particularly in the South, where Black voters played a crucial role. Harris starts with an advantage among Black women, a key constituency in any Democratic primary. As the party looks to 2028, it must navigate its divisions and determine the best path forward to win a national election.

Key points

• Democrats are celebrating a midterm win, but divisions within the party are already emerging as they look to the 2028 presidential election.