Jon Ossoff Gains Attention in Early 2028 Democratic Presidential Polling

Senator Jon Ossoff is gaining recognition in initial polling for the potential 2028 Democratic presidential field. Support for major figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom has waned from earlier peaks. Though candidates characteristically announce their campaigns post-midterms, it’s not unusual for them to enter before those elections. As of now, none has officially declared their candidacy for the 2028 presidential race.

Despite Ossoff’s own past statements indicating a lack of interest in a 2028 presidential run, his polling performance is noteworthy. He ranks at 7 percent, trailing the leaders in the Democratic field. Morning Consult identifies him as a significant ‘mover’ because his support has more than doubled from 3 percent in a previous poll. His support has increased from a mere 1 percent in May, making him the only Democratic candidate to gain in three consecutive polling waves.

Harris leads the hypothetical Democratic primary with 24 percent, followed by Newsom at 12 percent, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 9 percent. Morning Consult surveyed 2,203 registered voters between August 28-30, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent. The primary results reflect responses from voters in their respective party’s primary.

“Harris remains steady at the top while the race underneath gets busier,” describes Morning Consult of the Democratic contest. Meanwhile, Newsom’s support has dropped from 19 percent in June to its lowest this year. Ossoff, however, continues to gain traction.

Newsweek has sought comments from Ossoff’s campaign. Patrick Casale, senior adviser to Nevada GOP Chairman Michael McDonald, remarked that Ossoff’s presidential candidacy prospects may rely on the performance of the Democratic Party’s socialist wing in the midterms. If these candidates succeed, the party may lean towards Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a presidential candidate. In contrast, if they fail, Ossoff’s numbers could become more favorable.

Casale noted his lack of surprise regarding Newsom and Harris’s polling figures, hinting at California’s challenges under Newsom’s leadership.

Reasons for Jon Ossoff’s Increasing Focus

Ossoff’s upward polling trend coincides with his growing national attention. His more confrontational stance towards President Donald Trump, especially during an August rally, has drawn notice. During this event, Ossoff criticized Trump and his aide Natalie Harp, calling into question the president’s priorities.

Trump later responded by comparing Ossoff to Pee-wee Herman, a jibe Ossoff embraced, noting it was telling to see the White House react so strongly.

Other 2028 Democratic Polls

Additional polling reiterates Harris’s position as the leading potential candidate for the 2028 Democratic race, though the margin varies. A Rasmussen Reports poll from August showed Harris with 37 percent among likely Democratic primary voters, ahead of Newsom with 14 percent. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez polled at 9 percent, with Buttigieg at 8 percent. The Rasmussen survey occurred from July 15-21 among 472 respondents.

An Emerson College poll from July presented a different scenario, placing Buttigieg as the frontrunner at 19 percent and Newsom at 17 percent. Ossoff and Ocasio-Cortez each garnered 13 percent, while Harris had 8 percent. Other candidates like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker received lower percentages. This poll involved 574 respondents and a 4 percent margin of error.

The divergence in poll outcomes hinges largely on Harris’s varying level of support.

Insights on the 2028 Republican Field

The Morning Consult poll also highlights shifts within the Republican potential field, especially concerning Marco Rubio, who saw a significant rise to 22 percent support. This surpasses the poll’s margin of error and marks the first notable movement since March.

Vice President JD Vance remains the Republican frontrunner with 36 percent, though at his lowest level so far and a diminished lead compared to earlier in the year. Rubio is the only Republican apart from Vance to achieve double digits in support in recent polling waves.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received 8 percent support, while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. registered at 5 percent. Neither moved significantly beyond the poll’s margin of error.

No candidate currently in the poll has officially joined the 2028 presidential race yet. While Ossoff expresses no interest, Harris says she is ‘thinking’ about it, Ocasio-Cortez aims to ‘change the world,’ and Newsom says fate will decide.