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As the 2024 presidential race draws to a close with a Donald Trump victory that could well signal a realignment of the American electorate, the Democratic Party is likely to be forced to rethink its strategy, policies and values over the years to come.

After an election night that only brought bad news for Kamala Harris, the Associated Press declared Trump as the race’s winner overnight after he reached the necessary 270 Electoral College votes to make it back to the White House. As of the time of this article’s publication, Trump had 277 Electoral College votes and 51.0 percent of the vote against Harris’ 224 Electoral College votes and 47.5 percent of the vote.

While it’s too early to say what will happen in the next four years and in 2028, it’s worth thinking about who will be the figure to incarnate this change for Democrats, trying to stage a comeback for a party now licking its wounds.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, left, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, center, and Arizona Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Ruben Gallego. California Governor Gavin Newsom, left, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, center, and Arizona Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Ruben Gallego. Getty Images

Here is a list of possible Democratic presidential candidates in 2028, based on names that came up when President Joe Biden withdrew from the race earlier this year and other high-profile Democrats.

While Harris could once again try to win the presidency in 2028, we didn’t include her in the following list as, at the moment, we believe that her candidacy would be unlikely after this election’s stinging defeat.

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters in the spin room following the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters in the spin room following the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom

The 57-year-old California governor has spent years seeking a national stage, and after Biden’s poor performance during his one debate against Trump earlier this year was rumored to be a potential candidate for the presidential ticket. While Newsom didn’t put his name forward and backed Harris as the Democratic candidate, the ambitious two-time governor is still considered likely to reach for the White House at some point in his career.

Read more First president 2028 odds released—Michelle Obama vs JD Vance? First president 2028 odds released—Michelle Obama vs JD Vance?

In California, Newsom has been known for his progressive policies on gun control and environmental issues, though he has recently abandoned some of his most progressive political stances to appeal to swing voters and trying to fix ongoing challenges like spiraling homelessness in the Golden State.

Though his popularity has risen at the national level in recent years, Californians have soured some on his leadership, especially as they worry about the state’s large budget deficit. A poll conducted by Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies in January found that 47 percent of registered California voters disapproved of Newsom’s leadership, while 46 percent approved.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is seen leaving ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on October 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is seen leaving ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on October 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. PG/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Gretchen Whitmer

The 53-year-old Michigan governor was very much in the same position as Newsom after Biden’s catastrophic presidential debate against Trump. Like Newsom, Whitmer was rumored to be a good candidate to replace Biden, but quickly said that she wouldn’t be seeking the nomination, supporting Harris instead.

Whitmer rose to national attention thanks to her strict lockdown guidelines during the COVID-19 health emergency. She’s also known to be an advocate for stricter gun safety legislation and abortion rights. As governor of a key swing state, Whitmer appeals to both moderate and progressive factions of the Democratic Party and could be seen as a candidate that could attract the support of independents and undecideds.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore speaks during the 2024 TIME100 Next at Current at Pier 59 on October 9, 2024, in New York City. Maryland Governor Wes Moore speaks during the 2024 TIME100 Next at Current at Pier 59 on October 9, 2024, in New York City. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for TIME

Wes Moore

The 46-year-old Maryland governor—the third Black governor to be elected in the country—was a fierce defender of Biden after the infamous first presidential debate, trying to galvanize Black voters to vote Democrat.

Moore has attracted national attention after pardoning 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions in Maryland, in what he called “the most sweeping state-level pardon in any state in American history.”

While he was also discussed as a potential replacement for Biden, Moore strongly stated at the time that he would have not been seeking the nomination. As the youngest Democratic governor in the country, Moore could have the potential to rejuvenate the Democratic Party’s electorate and attract Black voters lost to Trump in the 2024 election.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks to guests at an election night watch party hosted by Democratic senate candidate, Representative Elissa Slotkin on November 5, 2024 in Detroit. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks to guests at an election night watch party hosted by Democratic senate candidate, Representative Elissa Slotkin on November 5, 2024 in Detroit. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Pete Buttigieg

The 42-year-old former naval officer and one of the Democratic Party’s biggest and brightest young stars has been considered the most influential figure in Joe Biden’s cabinet. As secretary of transportation, Buttigieg has faced a series of thorny crises in the past four years, including several strikes and incidents, which led to harsh criticism from the Republican Party and even an impeachment attempt.

Despite these difficulties, Buttigieg has kept his popularity up among Democrats and is a well-known figure nationwide thanks to his appearances on Fox News and conservative news channels, which have made him known as a great communicator and representative for the party.

As an openly gay politician, Buttigieg would also represent a change for the Democratic Party that would be welcome by its most progressive factions.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro waves after speaking on the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 21, 2024. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro waves after speaking on the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 21, 2024. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Josh Shapiro

A well-beloved figure in a crucial battleground state that backed Trump this year, Shapiro could also represent a strong candidate for the 2028 presidential election. The 51-year-old Pennsylvania governor was reportedly being considered by Harris as her running mate for the presidential ticket, but it was said that he was too ambitious and too heavy of a political figure to be chosen by the vice president.

As a moderate who’s been prizing social justice and defending democracy, Shapiro could appeal to both Democrats and disenfranchised Republicans concerned about Trump’s election denialism.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024, in Chicago. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024, in Chicago. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

J.B. Pritzker

The 59-year-old Illinois governor, a billionaire who is heir to the Hyatt Hotel empire, could easily fund a campaign for the White House and there were signs, after Biden’s disastrous debate earlier this year, that he was prepared to step up to the national stage.

Pritzker is best known for signing a historic bill that will raise the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 per hour by 2025, for his action to hold gun manufacturers accountable for the gun violence caused by unsafe marketing practices, and for defending abortion rights in the state. This year, the governor signed multiple bills expanding reproductive rights in Illinois and his nonprofit group, Think Big America, hassled to help states with a ballot question on abortion rights move forward to advance their initiatives.

These—gun safety, minimum wages, and abortion rights—are all issues likely to appeal to Democratic voters on the national level.

U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego speaks during the Harris-Walz Campaign Election Eve rally and concert at the Celebrity theater in Phoenix on November 4, 2024. U.S. Senate candidate Ruben Gallego speaks during the Harris-Walz Campaign Election Eve rally and concert at the Celebrity theater in Phoenix on November 4, 2024. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Ruben Gallego

Another rising young star of the Democratic Party, Gallego could be a wild card for the 2028 presidential race. The 44-year-old Arizona Representative is now running for the state’s Senate against Trump-endorsed Kari Lake, an election denialist who lost the gubernatorial race to Democrat Katie Hobbs in 2022.

As a former Marine, Gallego has great traction among veterans and working-class families—a part of the electorate Democrats should work hard to win back. The congressman can also count on the support of Latino voters, a growing force in the swing state of Arizona and one that’s expected to weigh heavily in future presidential races.

Gallego is also fierce in his attacks against the MAGA movement and would be a good match against a potential candidacy from Vice President-elect JD Vance, as a potential race between the two would see a face off between two young, well-spoken nominees.

This combination of images shows Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, at left in Erie, Pa., Aug. 28, 2024, and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaking at the DNC in Chicago, Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago.

If past is prologue, the Walz-Vance face-off may as well not even happen — at least according to some analysts, who say it’s hard to tell whether vice presidential debates affect the overall race.

But the 2024 cycle has already made confetti of political norms, and there are some genuinely good reasons to think Tuesday’s debate might actually matter.

For one, the showdown might be the final time that the two presidential tickets share a stage before Election Day. Trump and Harris debated just once, and the GOP nominee has repeatedly shut down the possibility of squaring off again.

The nominees have also been less visible: Harris has done few interviews since taking the reins in July, and Trump has done far fewer rallies than in his prior presidential runs.

Trump and Harris, meanwhile, are running neck and neck in most of the swing states that will decide the election, polls show. If the running mates can move the needle at all, they might upend the race.

— Kevin Breuninger

Drew Angerer/Getty Images / Getty Images North America Anita Dunn, former senior adviser to President Biden, pictured as she departs the White House on Jan. 23.

Ahead of the start of the DNC, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang spoke with Anita Dunn, a former advisor to President Joe Biden, in Chicago.

Dunn said Kamala Harris “needs to make it clear what the difference is” between her economic platform and Trump’s.

“She needs to convince voters that she is the right leader to move this economy forward in a way that grows the middle class,” she said.

Dunn was one of the architects of Biden’s 2020 and 2024 campaigns. She stepped down from her post as senior White House advisor earlier this month to join Future Forward, a political action committee behind the Harris campaign.

Here’s more of what she said:

On whether she regrets advising Biden to do an earlier-than-usual presidential debate:

You know, in campaigns, you make decisions based on the information you have at the time. And the reality is that, you know, we had the debate. It didn’t go well. The president felt that he could continue as a candidate. He made his strongest case for it and ultimately decided that it was in the best interests of his party and in the best interests of the nation to step aside and endorse Vice President Harris. And what I’m focused on, what he is focused on, I think what this party is focused on this week is electing her and making her case to the American public.

On whether President Biden’s early support for Harris hurts her chances of being seen as a “change” candidate:

It’s still a democratic process and people could have chosen others. But the reality is that there was no one who was as qualified — as ready to be president — as she was. It’s why [Biden] picked her in 2020 to be vice president, and it’s why he supported her in 2024. She is clearly going to go out and make her own case for her own candidacy, as we’ve seen in the last 29 days … So I don’t think anyone believes that she is simply running as his political heir.

On whether the Harris campaign has been too slow to outline specific policy proposals:

You know, she hasn’t had a lot of time to outline specifics. She became the candidate, she needed to lock down the nomination. She needed to pick a vice president. And she’s going into this convention. And that’s a very compressed campaign for something that normally rolls out over a number of months … I think you’ll hear more from her this week at the convention, and coming out of the convention you’ll hear still more.

How Dunn is feeling, upon switching gears from advising President Biden to now helping elect Harris:

I was there when the president made the decision to pick her for vice president, and have been part of an administration where she has been an excellent vice president and a great partner for him and a leader in her own right. So I’ve always been a Kamala Harris fan. And I think it’s exciting and energizing for this party. And, you know, we’re in Chicago and it feels like we’re about to make history again out here.

Vice President Kamala Harris hit the campaign trail in the pivotal battleground of Pennsylvania on Sunday, the eve of the Democratic National Convention. Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, is making his own plans to share his vision for the country in key states while Harris accepts her nomination in Chicago.

Catch up on what the candidates were up to Sunday:

Harris and Walz on the trail: Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — along with second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Minnesota first lady Gwen Walz — embarked on a bus tour across western Pennsylvania. They visited a Sheetz, a football practice, a firehouse (where they met Hank, the firehouse dog), and a campaign field office, where Harris appeared to call Trump a “coward.”

Trump plans counterprogramming: While Harris is in Chicago this week, Trump campaign officials said the former president and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, will hold daily events in battleground states, gaggle opportunities for reporters and news conferences with surrogates.

Star-studded DNC: Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Mindy Kaling and Ana Navarro will serve as hosts at the convention as celebrity enthusiasm in Democratic politics is at a high. Other stars, including John Legend and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, are also set to appear at events during the convention.

Protests expected in Chicago: Tens of thousands of protesters from across the country are expected to march on the convention this week, activists said at a news conference Sunday. Illinois JB Pritzker confirmed that “about 250” members of the state’s National Guard will be on standby, but he told CNN earlier in the day that he expects “we’re going to have peaceful protests.”

DNC schedule takes shape: The schedule for the convention has begun to take a clearer shape — sources say Michelle Obama, former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will join a growing “who’s who” of speakers throughout the week. Meanwhile, Biden is working on his keynote address set for Monday night (as is Harris for Thursday night), and Hillary Clinton plans to use her speech to discuss the proverbial glass ceiling that she herself failed to fully break in 2016.