Actor George Clooney Identifies Prominent Democrats Ahead of 2028 Election

Actor George Clooney has pinpointed three Democrats to observe before the 2028 presidential election, delaying any endorsements until after November’s midterm elections. This timing means two of these individuals, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, face reelection tests this year, whereas Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is not up for reelection.

During The Future of Creativity event in Venice, Clooney praised Jon Ossoff, emphasizing the need for young voices with new ideas. He also expressed a favorable view of Pritzker and Beshear, yet remains undecided about endorsing a particular candidate.

Clooney’s interest in the political arena isn’t new. His intervention in the 2024 election was significant, especially through a New York Times article urging President Joe Biden to step down after a poor debate showing against Donald Trump. Biden eventually withdrew and backed Vice President Kamala Harris, who went on to lose to Trump.

Current polling doesn’t paint a clear picture for Clooney’s highlighted candidates. The RealClearPolling national average shows Kamala Harris leading with 26.3 percent, followed by Gavin Newsom with 14.3 percent. Ossoff stands at 8.8 percent, Beshear at 4 percent, and Pritzker trails at 3.2 percent.

Various polls back up this distribution. A Harvard-Harris poll shows Ossoff at 6 percent and Pritzker at 5 percent, while Harris maintains 38 percent. Other surveys reveal similar standings.

Ossoff Faces an Immediate Test

Among Clooney’s choices, Ossoff holds a stronger position in early polling and faces significant voter scrutiny next month. He aims for reelection against Republican Mike Collins, after narrowly defeating David Perdue in the past. Recent polling shows Ossoff leading Collins by margins ranging from four to 10 percentage points.

Ossoff’s potential second win might bolster discussions on the Democratic Party’s future. Clooney specifically noted Ossoff’s age as a defining advantage.

The younger politician symbolizes generational change within the Democratic Party after the 2024 election. Ossoff ranks well in prediction markets for the 2028 nomination, following Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom.

An Emerson College survey from August indicates strong positioning against hypothetical opponents like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Pritzker Seeks Another Term

Governor JB Pritzker, seeking reelection in Illinois, primarily lacks recent public polling information. One November 2025 survey suggests a substantial lead over Republican Darren Bailey, aligning with Pritzker’s previous success against Bailey.

Nationally, Pritzker’s presidential potential is modest. He finds himself far from leading candidates, amid an uncertain Democratic field.

Beshear Polling in the Low Single Digits

Governor Andy Beshear remains in the early stages of potential election discussions. He continues to serve in Kentucky, appealing as a Democratic governor with executive experience, yet attracts low polling percentages in a national context.

Beshear expressed his belief in the necessity of executive experience for the presidency, according to earlier statements.

A Race That Has Barely Begun

Clooney’s shortlist captures early possibilities but illustrates the volatility of early polling. Numbers mainly reflect name recognition without forecasting future election outcomes.

Clooney prefers patience and refrains from premature endorsements. November 3 provides a key electoral benchmark for Ossoff and Pritzker, ultimately leading to more decisive evaluations for 2028. The evolving political field suggests more concrete judgments to follow post-midterms.