Which Democrats have ruled out a 2028 presidential run?

A growing number of prominent Democrats have publicly ruled out a run for higher office as the country begins to look ahead to 2028, instead focusing on their current roles or plans beyond elected office.Among those who have recently downplayed or rejected presidential speculation are former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD). Raimondo recently tempered speculation about a possible White House campaign after becoming one of the first Democrats to publicly express interest in the race last April.

“Look, I would like the job, I’m not going to lie,” Raimondo said in a podcast appearance published on Tuesday. “But politics is in a crazy place right now, and so I’m just going to let it all unfold. But I’ll play my part in any way that I think I can help the country.”

The former Rhode Island governor emphasized that the party’s immediate focus should remain on the 2026 midterm elections rather than the next presidential contest.

“It’s still a very long time away. A very, very long time away. We got to get through these midterms, we’ll see how that goes,” Raimondo said. “I’m confident a number of really good people will throw their hat into the ring, and we’ll have to see.”