Midterms provide early 2028 scorecard for Democrats The midterms have effectively figured out the 2028 presidential race, and six Democrats left election night with more political capital than they entered with. For some, the results strengthened their status and strengthened their claim to become the parties' next standard-bearer. Jon Ossoff faced a consequential test in Georgia, a state Trump carried two years ago, and he didn't just perform well—he exceeded expectations. Exit polls showed him increasing his numbers with independent voters, and he defeated GOP Rep. Mike Collins 63–37, prompting some to compare him to a young Democratic senator moving into the White House. Ossoff insists he will serve his full term in the Senate and has no interest in running for president, but donors and strategists say he could be pushed to change his mind. Gavin Newsom has made California's redistricting effort the centerpiece of his political strategy, and it's paid off. While several Republican redistricting efforts have failed to produce major gains, Newsom can point to his success in helping Democrats pick up seats — and the formidable political network that fueled those efforts. "He walked the walk," said one Democratic mega-donor. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won re-election as expected, but the race she was watching was the Michigan Senate contest. Her $1 million investment in Abdul El-Sayed paid off with a victory in a Trump-carried state in 2024, giving progressives a new argument that they can win anywhere — and possibly pushing her toward a 2028 run. Pete Buttigieg wasn't on the ballot, but he's made more than 17 public campaign stops since Labor Day, raising money for candidates and state parties, and already crafting an economic message on election night. Josh Shapiro cruised Pennsylvania and spent $10 million of his wartime savings to help flip four Republican House seats and win control of the state legislature.

Midterms provide early 2028 scorecard for Democrats The midterms have effectively figured out the 2028 presidential race, and six Democrats left election night with more political capital than they entered with. For some, the results strengthened their status and strengthened their claim to become the parties' next standard-bearer. Jon Ossoff faced a consequential test in Georgia, a state Trump carried two years ago, and he didn't just perform well—he exceeded expectations. Exit polls showed him increasing his numbers with independent voters, and he defeated GOP Rep. Mike Collins 63–37, prompting some to compare him to a young Democratic senator moving into the White House. Ossoff insists he will serve his full term in the Senate and has no interest in running for president, but donors and strategists say he could be pushed to change his mind. Gavin Newsom has made California's redistricting effort the centerpiece of his political strategy, and it's paid off. While several Republican redistricting efforts have failed to produce major gains, Newsom can point to his success in helping Democrats pick up seats — and the formidable political network that fueled those efforts. "He walked the walk," said one Democratic mega-donor. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won re-election as expected, but the race she was watching was the Michigan Senate contest. Her $1 million investment in Abdul El-Sayed paid off with a victory in a Trump-carried state in 2024, giving progressives a new argument that they can win anywhere — and possibly pushing her toward a 2028 run. Pete Buttigieg wasn't on the ballot, but he's made more than 17 public campaign stops since Labor Day, raising money for candidates and state parties, and already crafting an economic message on election night. Josh Shapiro cruised Pennsylvania and spent $10 million of his wartime savings to help flip four Republican House seats and win control of the state legislature.