Democrats Expect Crowded 2028 Presidential Primary With Multiple Senatorial Candidates

Democrats are gearing up for a crowded 2028 presidential primary, reminiscent of the 2020 race, with at least half a dozen senators considered potential candidates, including Mark Kelly, Cory Booker, and Raphael Warnock. Senator John Hickenlooper has publicly expressed his hope that the party will narrow the field to six to eight candidates to avoid a repeat of the large 2020 contest. The trend of nominating senators or former senators for president continues, as the last Democratic ticket without a senatorial running mate was in 1940. Meanwhile, in Illinois, the announcement of Senator Dick Durbin’s retirement has triggered a competitive scramble among Democrats for several congressional seats, including Durbin’s Senate seat, with candidates like State Senator Robert Peters entering the fray. This political musical chairs could lead to multiple primary challenges and open seats in a reliably Democratic state. In Trinidad and Tobago, opposition leader Pennelope Beckles is expected to select six opposition senators to face a government majority, with several experienced political figures under consideration to provide strong advocacy and technical expertise in the Senate.