WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Kamala Harris’ early appeal as a potential 2028 candidate appears to be fading, while Sen. Jon Ossoff is rapidly gaining attention among Democratic voters.
The Georgia Democrat emerged as the party’s new favorite at the Crooked Con progressive convention this weekend, winning the event’s 2028 straw poll by a commanding margin.
Ossoff topped the list of Democrats viewed as potential 2028 nominees, earning 38% support. “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) finished second with 17%, followed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 14%.
Every other candidate received support in the single digits. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro each received 4%. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore each drew 3%, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom received 2.3%.
Harris barely registered, receiving just 0.6% support. Approximately 1,000 people participated in the Crooked Con straw poll.
The 2024 Democratic presidential nominee placed 16th, tied with first-term Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin.
Before the election, Harris had led by double digits in nearly every 2028 Democratic primary poll.
Crooked Con, a liberal convention organized by Crooked Media — a group founded by former Obama administration officials — featured discussions by prominent progressive figures about the future of the Democratic Party.
Although it is not a scientific survey, the straw poll offers a glimpse into the early 2028 preferences of some of the Democratic Party’s most politically engaged voters.
The result is particularly notable because Ossoff repeatedly insisted during his Senate campaign that he had no plans to seek the presidency in 2028.
“Yes, I will,” Ossoff said during a debate last month when asked whether he would commit to serving a full six-year Senate term. “I have zero interest in running for president. I’m running for Senate.”
Ossoff, once viewed as the most vulnerable Democratic senator facing reelection in 2026, decisively defeated his Republican challenger, Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), in the Senate race.
His strong performance in the traditionally Republican-leaning state, combined with his polished oratory, has fueled speculation that Ossoff could become a formidable Democratic contender for the 2028 presidential nomination.
Harris and Newsom had long ranked at the top of early 2028 Democratic polling. Harris remains the leader in the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate of potential 2028 Democratic candidates with 21.8% support, followed by Newsom at 13.5%. Ossoff ranks fifth at 10.8%.
Notably, the Georgia senator has broken with the far left on several major issues, opposing Medicare for All, the Green New Deal and proposals to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ossoff has also rejected calls to expand the Supreme Court.
