As political attention turns to the November 3 midterm elections, potential contenders for the 2028 US presidential race are using the campaign season to strengthen their national profiles, raise funds and build relationships with influential party leaders.Several Democratic and Republican leaders have travelled across the country to campaign for candidates in key races, with their efforts likely to influence their own political prospects ahead of the next presidential election, the Associated Press reported.The midterms will offer an early indication of which potential candidates can mobilise voters, raise money and help their parties win competitive races.
Newsom, Vance among leaders under spotlight
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who will leave office at the end of the year, has emerged as one of the most active Democrats on the campaign trail. He has campaigned for candidates across several Southern states, including Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.His outreach in the South could help him strengthen ties with African American voters, a key constituency within the Democratic Party. Newsom has also used his fundraising network to build relationships with party officials in states such as Nevada and New Hampshire.One of his most significant political bets has been backing California’s Proposition 50, which created a new congressional map in response to Republican-led redistricting in Texas. The map could help Democrats win as many as five additional US House seats in California in the November elections.A strong result would allow Newsom to highlight his role in the redistricting battle. However, failing to secure all five potential gains could weaken that argument as he considers his future beyond the governor’s office.On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance‘s political fortunes are closely linked to the party’s performance under President Donald Trump. Vance has maintained an extensive campaign schedule, travelling across the Midwest, the South and Alaska while promoting the administration’s efforts to tackle fraud.Ohio will be a particularly important state to watch. Republican Senator Jon Husted, who was appointed to Vance’s former Senate seat in 2025, faces a challenge from former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown. Meanwhile, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is competing against Democrat Amy Acton in the governor’s race.The performance of Turning Point Action, the conservative political organisation led by Erika Kirk, will also be closely watched. Kirk, the widow of its co-founder Charlie Kirk, has endorsed Vance’s potential presidential bid, and the group has indicated that it intends to support him.Vance has said his focus is on helping Republicans win the midterms rather than pursuing his own presidential ambitions.
Shapiro, Beshear seek to strengthen national standing
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has taken a different approach from other potential Democratic presidential contenders, concentrating largely on his home state rather than travelling to early presidential primary states.His strategy reflects Pennsylvania’s importance as a competitive state in national elections. Shapiro is expected to win re-election against Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, giving him an opportunity to focus on helping Democrats win control of the state legislature and gain congressional seats.Strong Democratic performances in working-class counties such as Beaver, Luzerne and Erie could help Shapiro make the case that he can win back voters who have shifted towards Republicans during the Trump era.Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, meanwhile, has used his position as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association to expand his national profile. He is scheduled to lead a get-out-the-vote tour through key states, beginning in Nevada on October 22.Beshear has also travelled to promote his book and meet influential Democrats in states that could play an important role in the 2028 presidential primaries.However, his decisions on campaign spending could carry significant political risks. The governors association has backed Democrats in traditional battlegrounds such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Arizona, while also investing in Republican-leaning states including Ohio and Iowa.Some Democrats have complained that their states need more financial support. Amid the pressure, the association sent $1 million this week to support Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa.
Cruz, Pritzker spend heavily on midterm campaigns
Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is also using the midterm campaign season to strengthen his political network as he weighs another presidential run.His Truth and Courage PAC has spent more than $2.4 million on advertisements supporting midterm candidates this year, according to AdImpact, with much of the spending directed towards supporting Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Texas.Cruz has also returned to Iowa, where he won the Republican caucuses during the 2016 presidential primary. He has made three trips to the state and plans to visit Alaska, South Carolina, North Carolina and potentially Michigan.Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a billionaire Democrat seeking a third term, has directed substantial resources towards helping his party in other states.His team says he has contributed $38 million to Democratic midterm efforts through personal donations and political organisations, including about $20 million through his Ready for the Fight PAC.Pritzker has been particularly active in the Texas governor’s race, contributing $1 million this week after an earlier donation of $200,000. He has also appeared at more than 75 events across the country, including in Nevada and New Hampshire, and is expected to visit South Carolina before Election Day.
Ocasio-Cortez, Buttigieg test their national appeal
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has become increasingly open to the possibility of a presidential run, potentially positioning herself as a leading contender among the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.For now, she is seeking to demonstrate that progressive politics can succeed in a competitive state such as Michigan. She has backed Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and appeared with him at a fundraiser in New York City this week.“If Abdul can win in Michigan, anybody can win anywhere,” Ocasio-Cortez told the audience, presenting his campaign as a test of the broader progressive movement.A victory for El-Sayed could help her counter concerns about whether her political message can appeal to voters beyond the party’s progressive base.Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg has also used the period since leaving the Biden administration to campaign extensively for Democrats.According to his team, Buttigieg has endorsed nearly 100 candidates in the current election cycle and campaigned alongside roughly half of them. He has visited 37 states since leaving office.His appearances have ranged from competitive Senate races to state legislative contests and campaigns in heavily Republican areas. He has also helped bring Democratic candidates together at events, including a unity gathering in Michigan following divisive primary contests.As the November 3 elections approach, the results will not determine the 2028 presidential field, but they could help establish which potential contenders emerge with stronger fundraising networks, broader party support and a convincing record of helping their candidates win.
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