Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro walked into a gathering of Democratic Party heavy hitters in Denver on Friday, stepping squarely into the early national conversations shaping the 2028 presidential race.
For months leading up to last week’s election, Shapiro waved off the speculation by focusing entirely on his own reelection campaign. That posture shifted on Friday at Majority Democrats’ “What’s Next” conference, an event designed to build on midterm victories and look toward the next presidential cycle. Surrounded by potential primary rivals, Shapiro acknowledged to reporters that any future bid remains a personal choice.
“That’ll be a personal decision my wife and my kids and I make, and when we’re ready to say something, we’ll let you know,” Shapiro told reporters when asked about his prospects of running.
Shapiro has not said that he is actively planning a national campaign. Even so, his increased presence in national politics follows a win in a key swing state.
An Inquirer analysis found that Shapiro’s 12-point increase over Kamala Harris’ 2024 performance in Pennsylvania marked the largest improvement over the last presidential nominee among six other prospective 2028 candidates who ran in statewide elections this year. In October, he also launched a federal political action committee to support Pennsylvania’s federal candidates and those around the country.
The 2028 Field Gathers in Colorado
The Denver conference brought together a crowded roster of potential 2028 contenders alongside congressional leaders preparing to take control on Capitol Hill in January. Attendees included U.S. Sens. Cory Booker, Ruben Gallego, Elissa Slotkin, Raphael Warnock, and Chris Van Hollen; U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna; and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Booker, who ran for president in 2020 and is already making visits to the first-primary state of South Carolina, called for a movement defined by bold action.
“This is not a moment. It has to be the beginning of a movement,” Booker said during his address to the conference.
Other prospective candidates cautioned against internal party divisions and ideological battles. Gallego warned that midterm gains should not be viewed as permanent.
“This isn’t a blank check. If anything, it’s a short-term loan,” Gallego said, pointing to shifts among Latino voters.
Shapiro used his platform to frame the party’s future around delivery and broad appeal, noting that the political map may be shifting beyond traditional battlegrounds. Opening his remarks, he pointed to Democratic wins across states like Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and South Carolina. Shapiro said the party is ready to take on some big swings, too — not just going out and scrapping for 270, but fighting hard to swing for 370.
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