From Cory Booker to Rand Paul, 2028 White House speculation is already underway
A wave of speculation about 2028 is already sweeping Washington, with lawmakers from both parties weighing their next moves and hinting at presidential ambitions while juggling re-election plans, party dynamics and personal events.
Sen. Cory Booker is among those who acknowledge that the next presidential cycle is already on his mind. He said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “I absolutely don’t rule out that possibility,” while emphasizing that his immediate priority was his Senate re-election campaign.
Mr. Booker also noted the personal side of the moment, noting that he and his wife, Alexis, whom he married in December, are “excited about the challenges we could face as a couple.”
Mr. Booker ran for president in 2020, ending his campaign before the Iowa caucuses. His comments place him among likely Democratic contenders in 2028, including governor. Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania; former Vice President Kamala Harris; and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
On the Republican side, Senator Rand Paul is flirting with another candidacy for the White House, putting the odds in his favor.
“We’re thinking about it, and I would say 50-50,” the Kentucky Republican said on CBS’ “Sunday Morning.” “We will make a decision after the elections.”
Mr. Paul focuses his interest on the desire to see the Republican Party move in a more libertarian direction on issues such as spending, civil liberties and foreign policy.
“There used to really be a liberal/libertarian wing of the party, and now there’s not much left,” he said. “In fact, quite often, it’s me in the Senate, the only one left for free trade.”
Mr. Paul ran for president in 2016, exiting the race after finishing fifth in the Iowa caucuses.
Vice President JD Vance is considered an early favorite to win the GOP nomination. He finished first this weekend in the Conservative Political Action Conference presidential vote, receiving 53 percent of the more than 1,600 votes cast.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio came in second with 35% of the vote.
