Democrats Brace for Their Gnarliest Presidential Primary in Decades

The party is on edge ahead of 2028, according to interviews with more than three dozen Democrats.

Democratic leaders in a collage

The potential field of 2028 Democratic presidential candidates “is as wide open as anything I can remember,” as one strategist put it. Photo illustration by Kainaz Amaria/NOTUS; AP

The 2028 Democratic presidential primary is already a mess, months before the race actually starts.

Consider that “everyone and their mother” could run, per 2024 alum Quentin Fulks, leading to a field of more than 20 candidates. And that nobody knows what to make of Kamala Harris, including Kamala Harris.

Adding to the confusion: The Democratic National Committee is at a crossroads. At least three potential candidates have already talked about skipping the official DNC debates, according to advisers, potentially opening the process to a surge of unofficial debates hosted by every lefty media organization or interest group imaginable.