2028 Presidential Hopefuls Launch Shadow Primary in 2026 Midterms

Prospective 2028 presidential candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties have entered a phase strategists call the shadow primary, utilizing the 2026 midterm elections to build national profiles and test stump speeches. Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and Mark Kelly are focusing Democratic efforts on early nominating states, specifically New Hampshire, to support candidates such as Representative Chris Pappas.

Republican figures including JD Vance and Ted Cruz are simultaneously campaigning in battleground states to support nominees like Mike Rogers. While these visits aim to establish a political foundation for future bids, some figures have become liabilities. Senate candidates in Alaska, Iowa, and Kansas have uninvited Kamala Harris, while some Republican swing-seat candidates have distanced themselves from JD Vance amid declining approval ratings for President Donald Trump.

Other high-profile figures are also active in the cycle, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigning in Michigan and Maine, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supporting Republicans in Iowa and Kentucky.