How Trump is moulding 2028 Democratic contenders
By James Oliphant Washington
Published on December 21, 2025 | 12:00 AM
President Donald Trump’s aggressive policy agenda is doing more than reshaping the economy and immigration enforcement — it’s also giving a handful of Democratic governors a national stage to position themselves as potential 2028 presidential contenders.
California’s Gavin Newsom, Illinois’ J B Pritzker, and Maryland’s Wes Moore have seized on Trump’s moves to rally their party’s base, sharpen their contrasts with the White House, and build networks beyond their home states.
Trump’s push for Republican states to redraw their congressional districts to favour his party in next year’s midterm elections, his military-style immigration raids in Democratic cities and deep federal spending cuts have triggered fierce resistance among Democrats. That opposition has become a political asset for governors looking to raise their profiles.
California Governor Gavin Newsom pushed back against Trump’s redistricting effort by successfully championing a ballot measure in his state that may allow Democrats to take extra seats in next year’s congressional elections. Newsom, who is weighing a 2028 presidential run, celebrated his win with a speech to Democrats in Houston, Texas, a move viewed as raising his profile beyond his home state.
https://www.gulf-times.com/article/717329/opinion/how-trump-is-moulding-2028-democratic-contenders
