The Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting in Los Angeles quickly turned into a showcase for potential 2028 hopefuls, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom getting special attention and other big names circulating through fundraisers and strategy sessions. Delegates are parsing last year’s losses and recent local wins as they prep for the 2026 midterms and the scramble toward the next presidential cycle. Republicans watching will see both opportunity and vulnerability as Democrats try to unify around personalities and messaging that can counter President Trump.
Gavin Newsom was treated like a celebrity as he moved through the convention, drawing crowds and cameras wherever he went. “Newsom received a rock star reception as he was mobbed by party leaders and activists alike while he attempted to walk to his next of the many meetings set up yesterday,” a DNC committee member who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely told Fox News Digital Friday morning. The fanfare makes it clear the party is already grooming faces for the national stage.
The DNC is keen to show momentum after losing major ground nationally, and leaders pointed to recent local victories as proof they’re regaining traction. “As we head into the midterms, we are unified, focused and ready to fight to lower costs for working people,” DNC Chair Ken Martin emphasized in a statement to Fox News. That message on affordability is the centerpiece of the party’s pitch heading into the 2026 fights.
Opposition to President Trump remains a central rallying point for Democrats, and that hostility is driving much of the conference energy. Officials and activists are already jockeying over the early nominating calendar and who will be allowed to shape the debate. The tone is part policy planning and part auditioning for 2028.
Newsom’s profile has been rising thanks to high-visibility clashes with the president and tactical social media moves that get traction nationwide. “Newsom has shown an ability to stand up to Trump in a bold and highly effective manner without shying away from core democratic values,” veteran Democratic strategist Joe Caiazzo told Fox News Digital. That blend of confrontation and polish is exactly what many in his camp think will sell outside California.
Others notice the same traits but worry they’ve got limits in the primary fight. “Newsom is getting attention right now because he’s extremely quick on his feet.” Lucas Meyer, the former longtime president of the New Hampshire Young Democrats, added, “He’s sharp — maybe too slick for some folks in New Hampshire — combative, engaging and even funny in a way that cuts through.” Those lines highlight why some Democrats see him as a weapon against Trump and why others fear he might not connect with the full party base.
When pressed about a presidential bid, Newsom was candid about the possibility, refusing to rule it out. “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise. I’d just be lying, and I can’t do that.” That kind of frankness plays well in some circles and badly in others, depending on whether voters want bluntness or detailed policy grounding.
Newsom also used the meeting to touch base with early-primary states, meeting with New Hampshire and Nevada party chairs to build relationships. “We had a great discussion on a wide range of issues,” longtime New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley told Fox News Digital. Those conversations are normal politicking, but they underscore how seriously the party is taking the long game.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was another notable presence, and his fundraising pushed serious cash toward party coffers. He drew a high-profile crowd at an evening fundraiser where Conan O’Brien introduced him and Billy Crystal, Martin Short and Jane Fonda spoke. That kind of celebrity backing and deep-pocketed support is both an asset and a liability in a general election showdown.
Former vice president Kamala Harris also showed up, keeping open the possibility of another run despite a turbulent 2024 campaign. “I am not done,” the former vice president said in an October interview with the BBC. “I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it’s in my bones.”
A DNC committee member framed the appearances as an early test for message and electability, suggesting the gathering matters beyond simple networking. “It sets the tone not just for a Democratic landslide in the 2026 midterm elections, but it gives them an opportunity to start honing in on a winning message for Democrats in 2028,” said the committee member, who asked for anonymity to speak more freely. That preparation will be watched closely by opponents looking for weaknesses to exploit.
Beyond Newsom, Pritzker and Harris, a long list of governors, senators and members of Congress are being mentioned as potential contenders and were active on the trail and in early voting states. Names floated include Josh Shapiro, Andy Beshear, Wes Moore, Gretchen Whitmer, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Ruben Gallego, Mark Kelly, Chris Murphy, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ro Khanna, Pete Buttigieg and Rahm Emanuel. Expect to see a crowded field and a lot of travel and noise as everyone tests messaging and builds donor networks.
Party officials emphasized the need to win back the House and possibly the Senate in 2026, making the midterms the immediate priority for all these architects of 2028 ambitions. “It was my impression, talking to the various camps, that they’ll be very engaged … because they realize how critically important it is to win the House and Senate majority but also help elect candidates up and down the ballot,” Ray Buckley said. The level of engagement suggests the Democratic primary will be long and require significant resources.
Veteran strategists are already predicting a drawn-out primary fight that will shape the party’s direction for years. Caiazzo highlighted that Democrats “are in for a long and intense presidential primary which has historically been a good thing for our party.” For Republicans, that long primary season could offer plenty of opportunities to define the contrast ahead of 2028.
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