Potential 2028 presidential contenders are utilizing the 2026 midterm elections to build national visibility and fundraising strength. candidates including Gavin Newsom, JD Vance, and Andy Beshear are actively campaigning in key swing states to establish their future political credentials.
Gavin Newsom’s Southern PAC and the Proposition 50 gamble
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is leveraging his Campaign for Democracy political action committee to expand the party's reach into Southern states like Alabama , Mississippi, and North Carolina. By focusing on these red states, Newsom aims to strengthen the Democratic base, particularly among African American voters, ahead of the 2028 primary.
The report highlights that Newsom’s political standing may also hinge on the success of California's Proposition 50.. This redistricting measure, which Newsom supported, could potentially grant Democrats five additional U.S. House seats. However, if these seats are not secured, the governor's ability to claim a victory on the redistricting front could be significantly diminished.
JD Vance’s Ohio ties and the Turning Point endorsement
Republican Vice President JD Vance is centering much of his midterm campaign activity on Ohio, the state he formerly represented in the Senate. His strategy involves a wide-ranging tour of the Midwest, the South, and Alaska, with a heavy emphasis on addressing concerns regarding election fraud.
The political momentum for Vance is also being bolstered by Turning Point Action, an organization led by Erika Kirk. According to the source, Kirk has already endorsed Vance’s potential 2028 bid, signaling that the group intends to deploy significant resources to support his future ambitions. This support will be tested in Ohio, where Senator Jon Husted faces a challenge from former Senator Sherrod Brown .
Josh Shapiro’s Pennsylvania isolation versus Andy Beshear’s DGA tour
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is pursuing a localized strategy that avoids early primary states in favor of consolidating power within his home state. Shapiro is focusing his political capital on securing both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature and flipping four congressional seats, particularly in swing counties such as Beaver, Luzerne, and Erie.
In contrast, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is building a national profile through his role as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA). Beshear is scheduled to lead a get-out-the-vote tour starting in Nevada on October 22, targeting both traditional swing states like Michigan and more competitive regions like Iowa and Ohio.
The unverified impact of Beshear’s DGA spending decisions
While Beshear's national tour increases his visibility, his leadership of the DGA presents a significant political risk. The report notes that his spending decisions throughout 2026 will be a critical metric for his 2028 viability.
Several questions remain regarding the effectiveness of these midterm maneuvers. It is currently unknown if Shapiro's refusal to campaign outside Pennsylvania will hinder his national appeal, or if Beshear's aggressive push into Republican-leaning states like Iowa will yield the necessary electoral returns to justify his strategy. Furthermore, the source does not clarify how the performance of Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio governor's race might impact the broader Republican trajectory.
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