CNN Poll: Americans Begin Contemplating 2028 Election

A recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS reveals that nearly half of Americans are contemplating the upcoming 2028 presidential election. This election will be notable as it marks the first time since 2016 that neither party has an incumbent president running for nomination.

Current Public Sentiment on the 2028 Election

With almost three years remaining until the election, about two-thirds of respondents have not yet selected a candidate. Only 33% of Americans have mentioned potential nominees, with 65 individuals named overall. However, no single candidate has emerged as a clear front-runner at this early stage of the race.

Candidates Mentioned by Americans

• Republicans:
  • 22% of Republican and Republican-leaning independents prefer Vice President JD Vance.
  • 4% support Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
  • 2% back Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
  • 3% express a desire to see Donald Trump run again, despite the two-term limit.
• Democrats:
  • 11% of Democrats prefer California Governor Gavin Newsom.
  • 5% favor former Vice President Kamala Harris.
  • 4% support Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
  • 2% indicate interest in former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
  • 2% also express interest in former President Barack Obama running again.

Desired Candidate Traits

Among those respondents who have identified potential candidates, personal qualities are a top priority. Commonly desired traits include:

• Honesty
• Compassion and empathy
• A strong desire to help others
• Integrity and ethical values

Additionally, economic issues and the cost of living emerged as significant concerns for voters. These attributes and concerns are indicative of what voters will seek in candidates leading up to the election.

Future Candidate Landscape

Potential candidates range widely, including past presidential contenders and newcomers. Some prominent individuals who may enter the race include:

• Individuals with prior campaign experience, such as Harris and Buttigieg.
• Those likely to make a serious bid include Vance, Newsom, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
• New political voices like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
• Non-political figures such as Jon Stewart, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Oprah Winfrey, and Mark Cuban.

Conclusion

The path to the 2028 presidential election is shaping up to be an intriguing one, with Americans expressing diverse preferences and values regarding candidates. As the election date approaches, voters will likely continue to refine their candidate choices based on personal attributes and effective leadership qualities.