Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff's commanding reelection victory has propelled him into early contention for the 2028 presidential race. He defeated Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) by 18 points, and Democrats and supporters poured $136 million into his reelection effort, making him the best-funded Democrat for most of the year until Texas state Rep. James Talarico (R-Tex.) took that distinction. Polymarket odds give Ossoff a 27% chance of capturing the White House, even though he said last month he has "zero interest" in running.

The Democratic midterm wins have also fueled speculation about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who stumped nationally for candidates alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is 85. Democratic consultant Doug Schoen said her backing of progressive candidates Troy Jackson in Maine and Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan would embolden her to run. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the 2024 presidential election, has consistently led Democratic presidential polling averages this year and campaigned in Georgia for Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, where Black women won all but one statewide office.S2

A more centrist lane is also taking shape. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg could each enter the field. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) was not on the ballot but helped defeat a billionaire's tax that voters in his state rejected, which may broaden his appeal beyond the party's progressive base. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) is sounding more like a candidate since Democrats swept executive offices in his state, arguing that opposing Trump is not enough and that voters want a clear vision.S2