These newly elected Democrats will shape 2028

A fresh wave of newly elected Democrats is poised to play a significant role in shaping the 2028 presidential race. High-profile contenders like Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker, Wes Moore, Rahm Emanuel, Mark Kelly, and Cory Booker have already initiated contact with several of these fresh faces, signaling a desire to leverage their electoral victories to influence future presidential politics.

Newly elected Representatives Nancy Lacore (D-S.C.) and Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D-Nev.) are among those who have received calls from potential White House hopefuls. Incoming Senators Abdul El-Sayed (D-Mich.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), and Annie Andrews (D.S.C.) have also been approached by Democratic hopefuls.

These newly elected Democrats are not merely expressing gratitude for their victories; some are openly positioning themselves as kingmakers for the 2028 race, arguing their campaigns can serve as models for future presidential aspirants. Others are taking on ambassadorial roles, representing their states' interests within the Democratic Party.

For instance, Michigan Representative William Lawrence emphasized that Democrats should focus on addressing big tech issues and preventing endless wars as top priorities for the 2028 campaign.

Haaland, who recently won her New Mexico governorship, expressed her hope that Democrats would have a plan to support Indian tribes, a clear indication of the evolving demands of the electorate. These emerging Democrats will bring new perspectives and demands to the table, which could reshape the potential 2028 field and its ability to navigate new geographic and demographic landscapes.

South Carolina is expected to be a focal point for the 2028 primary, given its first-in-the-nation primary calendar and a robust bench of potential candidates. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Democratic Rep. from South Carolina, is expected to continue his role as a kingmaker in the state. However, the recent upsets of Andrews and Lacore have heightened the Democrats' presence in the state.

Andrews, a pediatrician, has made health care a central theme of her campaign, while Lacore's focus on veterans' issues and national security could bring these issues to the forefront.

The three new South Carolina Democrats - Andrews, Lacore, and Clyburn - are expected to meet on Capitol Hill to discuss their roles in the upcoming presidential race. Clyburn's advisers stated that these three Democrats will likely have different approaches to their involvement in the 2028 primary, but collectively, they have the potential to introduce new candidates to the race.

Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, representatives Antjuan Seawright, Clyburn's adviser, and Jim Demers, a veteran Democratic strategist, emphasized the importance of the state's influence on the 2028 primary, citing the campaign experience of Pappas and Shaheen as assets for future candidates.