A recent poll conducted among likely Michigan Democratic voters provides early insight into potential contenders for the 2028 presidential election in this swing state. The WDIV/Detroit News survey positioned former Vice President Kamala Harris as the frontrunner with 25.1% support. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg followed with 19.4%, while Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez secured 11.5%, and California Governor Gavin Newsom received 10.1%. Senators Cory Booker and Mark Kelly both garnered 8.3% support.
The poll highlights Harris’s continued influence among Democratic voters, although it also reveals a competitive field with several recognized figures. No candidate has officially announced their candidacy yet.
Poll Details
The survey found that Governors Wes Moore, Josh Shapiro, and JB Pritzker each received less than 5% support. Meanwhile, 1.6% of respondents indicated a preference for someone else, and 7.5% were undecided or refused to answer. The poll, conducted by The Glengariff Group, Inc., surveyed 500 likely Democratic voters via live-operator telephone calls from July 8 to July 11. The margin of error is 4.4%.
Florida Atlantic University political professor Craig Agranoff commented that Harris’s position is not surprising, given her name recognition and previous roles as vice president and the 2024 nominee. Agranoff noted that Buttigieg’s position as a close second is notable, emphasizing his Midwestern connections, articulate nature, and appeal to younger voters.
Michigan’s role as a battleground state makes these findings important for Democrats as they plan their strategy for future elections. This state has been pivotal in recent election cycles, with President Donald Trump narrowly winning it by 1.4 percentage points over Harris in 2024.
Broader Poll Trends
Other national polls also reflect early 2028 Democratic preferences. An Echelon Insights poll shows Harris leading with 21%, with Newsom at 14% and Buttigieg at 13%. The poll surveyed 1,004 voters between July 9 and July 13 and has a margin of error of 3.6%. Meanwhile, a Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll places Harris at 37%, against Newsom’s 24% and Buttigieg’s 10%. This survey involved 1,776 registered voters and carries a margin of error of 2.3%.
Potential Candidates’ Perspectives
When asked about running in 2028, Harris mentioned earlier in the year to Rev. Al Sharpton that she is “thinking about it.” Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez expressed her focus on broader change rather than personal ambition in an interview with David Axelrod, emphasizing her dedication to issues like healthcare and workers’ rights.
This survey offers a preliminary view of the political landscape as Michigan Democrats evaluate a mix of familiar leaders and new prospects in the lead-up to the next presidential election.
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