Dem
47
GOP
53
Republicans aren't the only ones thinking about 2028 already. Democratic POTUS wannabes aren't forced to take sides on Epstein. All of them want complete transparency and full disclosure. If that implicates Bill Clinton, well, he should have picked his friends with more care and that is his problem.
What they are busy with, since they don't have to agonize over Epstein, is more conventional campaign stuff. And that leaves a paper trail that reporters can follow. In particular, filings with the Federal Election Commission are the mother lode here.
Every presidential aspirant understands that the number one thing to do now is be seen as a team player. Specifically, that means doing everything you can to help the Democrats win the House and Senate next year. That means raising and spending money to help Democrats and stumping in states and districts that are in play. Pete Buttigieg is leading the fundraising so far, with $1.6 million banked this year. He is using this, in part, to pay a small staff. Democratic governors are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars ballpark. All the super PACs cover campaign travel expenses. Super PACs can pay for polling of any kind.
Much of the money has been spent raising more money. For example, Govs. Andy Beshear (D-KY) and Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) have spent money to buy donor lists, generally a good investment early on. Initially the messages sent out encourage donors to give to the DNC, DSCC, DCCC or individual Democratic candidates, but the messages also raise the sender's profile. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) is already using his own extensive list of (large) donors to raise money for other Democrats. This buys goodwill and possibly endorsements down the road.
All the expected contenders have created super PACs. Most are growing their digital presence. Less-well-known governors are running ads nationally. Some are hitting the campaign trail. Beshear, for example, recently held a rally in South Carolina, an early state in the South, and not too far from his home state.
Likely candidates who have to face reelection in 2026, like Govs. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) and Wes Moore (D-MD), are focusing on their reelections first, of course. Taking reelection for granted is something that voters really don't like. Nevertheless, going to other states to raise money for your own reelection is fine and has the added benefit of meeting (important) players there. (V)