Who will Run for President in 2028? Early FEC Filings and Polling Reveal Potential Contenders

While no major candidate has launched a formal campaign, Federal Election Commission records and primary polling reveal key figures shaping the 2028 presidential election landscape. Here is an early look at potential contenders and election timelines.

Oct 13, 2026, 17:39 IST
2028 Presidential election candidates list
2028 Presidential election candidates list

The 61st US Presidential election is all set to take place in 2028. And the race to win has already started. According to data collected by Ballotpedia there are more than 100 leaders and famous personalities who have submitted statements-of-candidates documents to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as one of the 2028 Presidential candidates. However, while well-known names have not officially announced their candidacy and there have been some frontrunner predictions in the early polls.

Who will Run for the US President in 2028 Elections? 

Media speculation and public announcements have brought to light many influential politicians that could be interested in their party nominations for 2028 Presidential Elections.

S. No.
Potential Candidate
Current Office and Role
Party
Status and Media Tracking
1
J.D. Vance
Vice President of the United States
Republican
Expressed Interest / Leading Polls
2
Ron DeSantis
Governor of Florida
Republican
Expressed Interest
3
Marco Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State
Republican
Expressed Interest
4
Former Vice President
Democratic
Expressed Interest / Leading Polls
5
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
Democratic
Visited Early Primary States
6
Pete Buttigieg
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Democratic
Expressed Interest
7
Andy Beshear
Governor of Kentucky
Democratic
Expressed Interest
8
Ted Cruz
U.S. Senator from Texas
Republican
Expressed Interest

Several figures have explicitly declined to run for the role, including Tim Walz, Bernie Sanders, Nikki Haley, and Mike Pence.

Who are Potential Frontrunners Among 2028 Presidential Candidates?

Primary polling averages for the early months on RealClearPolitics reveal Vice President J.D. Vance to be ahead in his Republican Party primary polls, followed by Marco Rubio (the secretary of state), Ron DeSantis (governor of Florida), and Donald Trump Jr.

The Democratic candidates who have shown strength in early polling include former Vice President Kamala Harris, followed by Pete Buttigieg (former transportation secretary), Governor Gavin Newsom, and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

When is the 2028 Presidential Election?

The presidential elections in the US will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2028. The person elected will take the oath of office on the day of inauguration that will fall on January 20, 2029. Campaigning and debates usually start 18-24 months prior to the election date.

Though the early FEC registrations will be dominated by relatively unknown independent and minor party candidates, preparations for the 2028 presidential campaign have been laid out. As the political parties adjust and the primaries schedules become clear, attention will be shifting from polls to declarations.

Harshita Singh

Senior Executive - Editorial

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