Why Pritzker Is Rising and Buttigieg Is Slipping in the

Key Takeaways

Mark Halperin's "8 for '28" Democratic rankings shifted notably in January.
Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro remained top contenders for the 2028 nomination.
Kamala Harris, J.B. Pritzker, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez advanced in the rankings.
Ro Khanna and Rahm Emanuel were new entries to the top eight Democratic list.
Democratic strategists debated the 2028 viability of Buttigieg, Harris, and others.
Mike Rogers announced his second run for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.
Rogers detailed plans for housing, manufacturing, and AI in Michigan.

Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro maintained their 1st and 2nd positions, respectively, in the updated "8 for '28" list.
Kamala Harris moved to 3rd, J.B. Pritzker to 4th, Pete Buttigieg to 5th, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to 6th.
Congressman Ro Khanna and Rahm Emanuel were new entries, securing the 7th and 8th spots.
Governors Andy Beshear and Wes Moore were removed from the updated ranking.

Gavin Newsom faces scrutiny over his record and opposition to a California ballot measure impacting billionaires.
Josh Shapiro must balance his 2026 reelection campaign in Pennsylvania with his presidential aspirations.
Kamala Harris needs to expand her fundraising list and donor network, particularly among Black female voters.
J.B. Pritzker's main challenge is introducing himself to a wider audience beyond his status as Illinois' billionaire governor.
Pete Buttigieg's critical question is whether he can leverage his existing donor base to reach the top tier of candidates.

Rahm Emanuel is being evaluated as a potential candidate for 2028, with questions about his seriousness.
His appeal to a broad voter base remains untested despite being well-known among political elites.
Emanuel's success would depend on demonstrating electability beyond his established political network.
The host drew comparisons between Emanuel's potential candidacy and Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign.

Democratic strategist Karen Skelton agreed Gavin Newsom is a strong contender, citing his performance as California governor.
Skelton expressed doubts about Josh Shapiro's current #2 ranking, questioning his demonstrated warrant for the position.
The host noted Senator Mark Kelly is frequently mentioned as a potential candidate but reporting indicates he is unlikely to run.
Josh Shapiro is identified as the likely #2 due to his strong performance in Pennsylvania and Republicans' fear of him.

One strategist believes Pete Buttigieg is a strong contender due to his likability and consistent double-digit polling.
Another strategist disagreed, citing Buttigieg's lack of support from the African-American community as a significant problem.
Both strategists ultimately chose Kamala Harris over Buttigieg for the nomination, citing Harris's existing infrastructure.
Strategists expressed skepticism about Kamala Harris's chances, viewing her political moment as having passed.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez moved up in rankings, with one strategist believing she would be a top-tier candidate if she runs.
Ro Khanna entered the rankings at 7th, gaining attention for filling a perceived progressive vacuum.
Strategists Karen Skelton and Patti Solis Doyle agreed Khanna's current surge in popularity is likely temporary.
They attributed Khanna's attention to a lack of other clear progressive leaders and his effective use of technology.

Mike Rogers announced his decision to run again for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.
He cited concerns about Michigan's economic and educational decline under Democratic leadership.
Rogers aims to implement solutions for manufacturing, defense, and housing in the state.
He previously ran for the U.S. Senate and lost by a narrow margin of approximately 19,000 votes.

Mike Rogers outlined plans to increase Michigan's housing supply to make it more affordable.
He proposes a 529 plan for housing down payments, allowing contributions from family and friends.
Rogers' plan also addresses issues with distressed properties and suggests changes to credit reporting to include rent payments.

Mike Rogers is described as having significant national security and foreign policy experience, potentially making him overqualified for the Senate.
He cites his experience as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, where he and a Democratic colleague cut the budget by $11 billion.
Rogers believes focusing on key issues like housing, spending, national security, and education is crucial for effective progress in the Senate.