NEW YORK — A parade of Democratic politicians eyeing potential 2028 presidential bids are making their pitch to Black activists this week at Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network gathering in New York.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro kicked off the four-day event by launching sharp attacks against President Donald Trump’s administration, arguing that Trump’s leadership has made “everyone is less safe” and pointing to rising levels of antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and bigotry across the country.
“There’s more chaos, there’s more cruelty in our world,” Shapiro told the audience. “Even if we disagree on health care policy or tax policy or whatever, we should at least, at a baseline, have an honorable president of the United States. We do not have that right now.”
The Pennsylvania governor, widely viewed as a leading contender for the next Democratic presidential nomination and positioned for reelection in his swing state this year, used his opening-day address to deliver harsh critiques of the Republican president. More than six potential White House hopefuls are addressing the conference to build relationships with Black community leaders, a crucial Democratic constituency.
While the next presidential primary cycle won’t gain momentum until after this November’s midterm contests, this week’s gathering is highlighting a group of Democrats already positioning themselves for what’s expected to be a competitive primary battle.
Currently, no obvious frontrunner has emerged.
“Everybody’s talking about who may run for president,” said Sharpton, who founded and leads the National Action Network. “I want to first know what their vision is now, and what they’re doing now. So I’ve invited all of the people that could run.”
Beyond Shapiro, the speaker lineup includes Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, California Representative Ro Khanna, and Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee, is also set to address the gathering. California Governor Gavin Newsom, another potential candidate, will skip the event due to a family obligation, though his team noted he met with Sharpton earlier this year.
The significant role of Black voters in Democratic primaries is well-documented.
During the 2020 race, Buttigieg performed well in Iowa’s caucus and finished second in New Hampshire — states with predominantly white populations — before Joe Biden swept South Carolina thanks to strong African American support.
Biden’s established connections within the Black community, combined with perceptions of his general election viability, ultimately helped him overcome a strong challenge from progressive candidate Senator Bernie Sanders.
While all the 2028 hopefuls are eager to criticize Trump, there’s widespread consensus that Democrats must also articulate their own positive agenda rather than simply opposing the current administration.
The White House declined to comment on the conference.
Khanna, a Sanders supporter who also spoke Wednesday, told The Associated Press that progressive candidates in 2028 could strengthen their appeal to Black voters “by speaking to the Civil Rights tradition and offering a vision rooted in Black history.”
“A 2028 contender needs to articulate and run on a new moral vision for America,” Khanna explained. He added that any presidential candidate’s agenda “must be as much inspired by the greats of Douglass and King” — referencing abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. — while “offering a new vision for racial justice, economic justice, peace in the world, against militarism, against racism, against wealth inequality.”
Shapiro, who was among Harris’ finalists for vice president in 2024, emphasized both his electoral prospects and dedication to African American issues during his appearance.
He characterized Pennsylvania as “the ultimate swing state,” while supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and maintaining that law enforcement officers must be “held to account” for misconduct.
He repeatedly targeted Trump, arguing that the upcoming midterm elections should serve as “a national referendum on Donald Trump and on what is happening in Washington, D.C.”
Ashley Sharpton, Rev. Sharpton’s youngest daughter, expressed surprise at how engaged and energetic the audience was during Shapiro and Khanna’s presentations on the conference’s opening day. She said she’s anticipating speeches from Moore, Harris and Buttigieg.
“That’s why people come,” she explained. “They want to get some of that energy, that consistency, that base.”
