Harris leads hypothetical 2028 Democratic field in poll

Kamala Harris leads a hypothetical field of Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential nomination, according to a Focaldata survey, though she has not decided whether to run. The poll puts her 15 percentage points ahead of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, while her potential candidacy remains uncertain. The survey, conducted October 2-5 among 2,553 U.S. adults, found 30% preferred Harris for the Democratic nomination, compared with 15% for Newsom. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez each received 9%, and Sen. Jon Ossoff received 8%. The results measure hypothetical preferences more than two years before the 2028 election, not committed support in a primary. Neither Harris nor Newsom has announced a campaign. Harris said at a September 22 event in Detroit that she had not decided whether to run again and linked her political plans to the 2026 election cycle. A report describing Harris’s recent political activity said she has spoken with donors, hired staff and traveled to battleground states while weighing another presidential bid. Those steps could position her for a campaign, but do not establish that she will enter the race.