Three prominent Democrats with possible 2028 presidential goals join Denver party summit

Three well-known Democrats linked to possible presidential runs will join a party strategy meeting in Denver next month. Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, along with Representative Ro Khanna of California, are the newest additions to the attendee list. The gathering happens from November 12 to 14, coming nine days after the midterm elections. All three lawmakers are progressives who have drawn national attention for their political goals. Booker previously ran for president in 2020, Khanna has called himself a long-shot candidate, and Van Hollen has acknowledged looking into a 2028 run. Each of the three has also introduced tax plans that could serve as early platforms for a future campaign.

Summit Plans

The event is called the "What's Next" summit and is hosted by Majority Democrats, a group formed last year by moderate and high-profile party members. Representative Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts chairs the organization. The group aims to learn lessons from the midterm races to prepare for the upcoming presidential election. Over two thousand people are expected to attend the event in Denver, which is one of the cities being considered to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Other potential 2028 contenders on the initial lineup include former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senators Raphael Warnock, Ruben Gallego, and Chris Murphy.

Context

Political parties frequently hold post-election strategy sessions to debate their future direction after major losses or upcoming votes. The Democratic Party has faced internal debates between moderate and progressive factions regarding its political identity since losing the White House in 2024. Organizers hope bringing different wings of the party together will help build a stronger platform for future elections.