A survey among young Democrats has revealed a preference for former Vice President Kamala Harris in a potential 2028 presidential race. She leads ahead of former first lady Michelle Obama and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). The poll found that 28.7% of Democratic respondents aged 18 to 34 favored Harris, almost doubling the 14.9% who supported Obama. AOC secured the third position with 11.7% of support. The poll, conducted by Axios-Generation Lab, included 1,075 American adults aged 18-34, surveyed between July 29 and August 4.
None of the three women have declared any intention to run in 2028. Among young independents, Obama was the preferred choice with 11.4%, followed by AOC at 9.2% and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at 7.4%. For young Republicans, Vice President JD Vance led with a significant 31.5%, trailed by Donald Trump Jr. at 10.7% and Secretary of State Marco Rubio with 9.7%.
“The broader mood among young people is one of dissatisfaction,” said Cyrus Beschloss, CEO of Generation Lab. They are displeased with the president, the economy, and both political parties.
A major concern among young adults is the economy; 96% expressed worries about rising costs of living. The poll’s demographic breakdown showed 37% identified as Democrats, 26% as Republicans, and 29% as independents. The margin of error was +/- 3.01 percentage points.
Harris, Obama, and AOC in Context
Kamala Harris holds a lead over Obama and AOC, together receiving 26.6%. However, Harris’s lead does not secure a majority, highlighting the fluidity of the potential Democratic candidates in 2028.
Harris has previous presidential experience, having replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in 2024, eventually losing to Trump. She has not ruled out further political ambitions.
Obama, despite frequent suggestions of a political future, has consistently declined interest in running for office. Her appeal among independents was noteworthy, placing her ahead of both Harris and AOC in that group.
AOC, known for her strong progressive stance since entering Congress in 2018, finished behind Harris and Obama among young Democrats. Her legislative focus has included key progressive issues like climate change and economic inequality.
Younger Americans and the Republican Challenge
For Republicans, the survey results reflect a struggle to connect with younger voters. President Trump’s approval rating is low among this group, with 66% disapproving of his job performance, including 54% who strongly disapprove. Only 34% expressed approval.
When asked which party is trusted more to alleviate economic pressures, 32% chose Republicans, 26% chose Democrats, and 36% trusted neither, underscoring broader disenchantment with both political parties.
Despite the dissatisfaction, polling history shows Trump’s popularity often exceeds expectations. His administration’s response to his record low approval ratings emphasized ongoing efforts to address economic issues.
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