Democrats won back majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives during the midterms last week, shaking up American politics as both parties immediately turn their attention to the 2028 presidential race.
The outcome has been described as a blue wave or blue tsunami, according to Civita advisor and US expert Eirik Løkke, who told dagsavisen that the results primarily show a solid defeat for Republicans and Donald Trump rather than a traditional party surge.
“It’s going to be brutal. Very intense,” Scott Miller, who leads a laboratory for democracy and capitalism at the University of Virginia, told NTB regarding the upcoming positioning for the White House.
The race remains wide open, with Reuters and Time highlighting several prominent figures already drawing attention, including Georgia Jon Ossoff, California Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Pete Buttigieg, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Jon Ossoff emerges as a top name
Jon Ossoff has quickly become one of the most discussed figures in American politics after winning re-election in the swing state of Georgia, as reported by dagsavisen.
“Jon Ossoff is the hottest name in American politics right now. He won overwhelmingly in the swing state of Georgia and is undoubtedly someone many are pointing to as a presidential candidate,” Løkke told dagsavisen.
Despite the speculation, Ossoff has thus far declined to state whether he will run for president in 2028.
Challenges for Harris and Buttigieg
Kamala Harris, who lost the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump, is also frequently mentioned in discussions about 2028, though experts express deep skepticism regarding her viability.
Meanwhile, Pete Buttigieg draws praise from analysts for his communication skills, having served as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and later as transport minister under the Biden administration.
“Buttigieg manages to explain how politics has made life harder for people, but at the same time also how politics can make life better. He has a personal approach and can speak at a high level without being patronizing,” Todd Belt, a professor of political leadership at George Washington University, told NTB.
Løkke said that Buttigieg faces an explanation problem regarding his tenure in the Biden administration and must provide better answers regarding past governance issues.
Republicans manage party after Trump
Todd Belt and other analysts said that Trump will likely be unable to unilaterally dictate the party’s next nominee due to diminished political capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won control of Congress in the recent midterms?
Democrats won back majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as reported by dagsavisen.
What margin did Jon Ossoff achieve in Georgia?
Details regarding a specific percentage margin for Jon Ossoff’s victory in the Senate race were not provided in the reports.
When is the next United States presidential election?
The next presidential election will take place in 2028, as noted by TV 2.
Have any major Democrats officially declared their 2028 candidacy?
No major figures have officially confirmed a run, though Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has indicated she is considering it, according to reporting by TV 2.