Josh Shapiro Hints at 2028 Presidential Bid During National Action Network Conference

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) recently indicated a potential interest in running for president in 2028. During a discussion with Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network's (NAN) annual convention in New York City, Shapiro expressed a desire to engage in conversations about the future direction of the Democratic Party. He emphasized the importance of moving beyond merely criticizing former President Donald Trump, stating, “We have an opportunity to have a real debate within our party about what we stand for, about what our affirmative vision is.”

The Hill

Shapiro's comments suggest he is positioning himself as a candidate who wants to contribute to a broader dialogue about the Democratic Party's priorities. He remarked, “That is a debate that our party hasn’t had for a good long while,” and expressed his belief that such discussions would benefit both the party and the country.

The Hill

Despite his hints at a future presidential run, Shapiro clarified that his immediate focus is on his reelection campaign in November. He called for the upcoming midterm elections to serve as a “national referendum on Donald Trump,” indicating that he believes the results will have significant implications for the party's future. “As to who’s a candidate at the end of the day, that’s for another day,” he stated, underscoring that his current priority is the midterm elections.

The Hill

Shapiro's appearance at the NAN conference aligns with a trend of potential 2028 Democratic contenders seeking to raise their profiles ahead of what is expected to be a competitive primary. Sharpton, who has hosted Democratic candidates for debates since 2000, pressed Shapiro on his potential candidacy, to which Shapiro responded ambiguously, “I don’t know that I said that,” but did not deny the possibility.

The Hill

While Shapiro's comments have garnered attention, there are critics within the party who argue that focusing on a presidential run may detract from the immediate challenges facing Democrats in the midterms. Some party members believe that the priority should be on unifying the party and addressing pressing issues rather than speculating about future candidates.

The Hill

Shapiro's remarks reflect a broader sentiment among some Democrats who are advocating for a more proactive approach to defining the party's vision. He stated, “What is critically important is that we have this national referendum in the midterms, and then we have an honest conversation as a party and as a country about what direction we want to go.”

The Hill

• “We have an opportunity to have a real debate within our party about what we stand for, about what our affirmative vision is,” — Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

The Hill

• “That is a debate that our party hasn’t had for a good long while,” — Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

The Hill

• “But right now, what is critically important is that we have this national referendum in the midterms, and then we have an honest conversation as a party and as a country about what direction we want to go.” — Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

The Hill

As the 2028 election approaches, Shapiro's potential candidacy will likely continue to be a topic of discussion among Democrats, particularly as they navigate the challenges of the upcoming midterm elections.

The Hill