# 2028 US Election: Democrats Gain Stars, Republicans Face Succession

> Democrats emerge with new stars after 2026 midterms; Republicans grapple with Trump succession.
- Title: 2028 US Election: Democrats Gain Stars, Republicans Face…
- Summary: Democrats emerge with new stars after 2026 midterms; Republicans grapple with Trump succession.
- Keywords: 2028 presidential election, democrats, republicans, jon ossoff, alexandria ocasio-cortez, marco rubio, j.d. vance, ron desantis, trump succession, 2026 midterm elections, us political parties, independent voters
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/united-states/in-2028-race-democrats-have-new-stars-and-republicans-have-succession-squabbles
- Author: Bhagyashree Garekar
- Published: 2026-11-07T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: 2028 presidential election, democrats, republicans, jon ossoff, alexandria ocasio-cortez, marco rubio, j.d. vance, ron desantis, trump succession, 2026 midterm elections, us political parties, independent voters
## 2026 Midterm Shifts
Democrats gained momentum after winning Georgia, South Carolina and Texas in 2026 midterms.

> But I went to bed in a red state and woke up in a blue one
## Trump's Party Struggle
Republicans face succession squabbles over how much Trump baggage to carry into 2028.

> The reason we lost is the war
## Voter Sentiment Shift
Independents want change on petrol costs and war, showing their votes may shape 2028.

> They forgot about us
## Trump's Coalition Eroding
Trump's political coalition is scrambling as independents vote against his policies and style.

> Now I know what that vote is worth
## Vice-President Vance
J.D. Vance, 42, seeks to establish that Iran war failure was not entirely his own.

> The reason we lost is the war
## Marco Rubio's Stance
Marco Rubio, 55, has not challenged Vance but remains popular with traditional Republicans.

> I have never heard anyone ask "rubio who" the way i had seen people shrug when trump roped in vance
## Ron DeSantis' Claim
Ron DeSantis, 48, took credit for Republican victories in Florida after midterms.

> a near extinction-level event
## Democratic Stars
Jon Ossoff, 39, leads Democratic contenders with an 18-point win in Trump's 2024 battleground.

> An 18-point win in a presidential battleground trump carried in 2024
## Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 37, has national recognition and a strong fundraising operation.

> tens of millions of social media followers
## Abdul El-Sayed
Abdul El-Sayed, the first Muslim elected senator, is poised for a presidential run.

> the first muslim to be elected senator
## James Talarico
James Talarico, 37, won a red fort in Texas, creating a national opportunity for 2028.

> winning a red fort once considered impregnable by democrats
## Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris, 62, retains nationwide recognition from her 2024 presidential run.

> retains nationwide recognition and the relationships with donors and voting blocs from her 2024 run
## Josh Shapiro
Josh Shapiro, 53, released memoirs and registered a political committee for 2028.

> released his memoirs in january and registered a federal political committee
## 2028 Election Outlook
Republicans must decide who inherits Trump's voters; Democrats must unite their fractured party.

> the field could widen if vance stays vulnerable
## Voter Impact
Millions of voters like Bautista and Stevens feel empowered after midterms.

> But i went to bed in a red state and woke up in a blue one
## Key takeaway

Democrats gain momentum with Jon Ossoff, AOC and others; Republicans struggle to choose between Trump's legacy and independents.