Democrats are divided over who will take up the progressive mantle during their 2028 presidential primary season after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) appeared to rule out a White House run during a conversation with Robert Costa at the National Press Club.Several progressives are thought to be Sanders’s apparent heir-in-waiting, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA).Both House Democrats have traveled to important 2028 primary states this year, raising speculation that they are laying the groundwork for a future presidential campaign.
Khanna appeared at the South Carolina Democratic Party’s annual state convention and at Rep. Jim Clyburn’s (R-SC) annual fish fry fundraiser late last month. Ron Klain, chief of staff during former President Joe Biden’s administration, is reportedly also advising Khanna.
Ocasio-Cortez made a surprise appearance at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, which is pastored by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), last month.
Sanders is close to both lawmakers and is unlikely to put his thumb on the scale for either candidate if they both run in 2028. Neither Khanna nor Ocasio-Cortez said they were likely to take up Sanders’s position in the 2028 race in interviews with the Washington Examiner.
