George Clooney’s Shortlist for the 2028 Democratic Presidential Race Faces Early Tests

Actor George Clooney, a prominent Democratic fundraiser, has publicly identified three Democrats—Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear—as potential 2028 presidential candidates. Clooney said he will wait until after the November 3 midterm elections before endorsing any of them. The upcoming November 3 elections will provide the first electoral test for Ossoff and Pritzker, who are both seeking reelection; Beshear is not on the ballot.

Newsweek

Clooney’s political involvement intensified after a July 2024 New York Times opinion essay urging President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid. Biden withdrew later that month and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Clooney’s shortlist emerges amid a wide-open Democratic field, with RealClearPolling showing Harris at 26.3 % and Gavin Newsom at 14.3 % as of the July 19-September 28 polling window.

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• National polling for a 2028 Democratic field (RealClearPolling average, July 19-September 28): Ossoff 8.8 %, Beshear 4 %, Pritzker 3.2 %.

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• Harvard-Harris poll (September 26-28): Ossoff 6 %, Pritzker 5 %, Harris 38 %.

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• Echelon Insights (September 17-21): Ossoff 8 %, Beshear 2 %, Pritzker 2 %.

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• Polymarket odds (as of October 4): Ocasio-Cortez 17 %, Newsom 16 %, Ossoff 15 %, Harris 7 %, Beshear 3 %, Pritzker 1 %.

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• Georgia Senate race (RealClearPolling): Ossoff 51.1 % vs. Republican Rep. Mike Collins 43.1 %; Big Data Poll (September 21-23) shows Ossoff 55 % vs. Collins 45 %.

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Clooney emphasized the appeal of younger leaders, noting Ossoff’s age of 39 as a sign of generational change. He also expressed admiration for Pritzker and Beshear while keeping his endorsement pending. Governor Beshear previously told Newsweek that a Democratic governor possesses the executive experience needed for the White House.

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• “I think we're all very excited by this young senator from Georgia, Jon Ossoff. I am 65 years old, and I think that we need some young voices that are coming up with new ideas and some new thoughts.” — Actor George Clooney

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The November 3 elections will determine whether Ossoff and Pritzker secure second terms in Georgia and Illinois, respectively, offering concrete data for Democratic donors and voters as they assess the 2028 presidential landscape.

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