CNN’s Dana Bash reportedly used a panel discussion Wednesday to size up the early jockeying for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, underscoring just how unsettled the field remains more than three years before primary voters weigh in.
Bash opened the segment by pointing to betting markets, specifically referencing Kalshi, a prediction market company that counts Donald Trump Jr. as an adviser. CNN announced earlier this month that it has entered a news partnership with the platform, saying Kalshi’s data would appear on air as a real-time ticker.
“Let’s look at the betting markets,” Bash said, before turning to how the numbers currently shake out. According to Bash, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has surged ahead of the pack. She noted that Newsom’s odds jumped in August, coinciding with his successful push for Proposition 50, which altered California’s district maps after Texas moved to redraw its own maps mid-decade.
Bash said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez trails Newsom by a wide margin in those markets, with former Vice President Kamala Harris even further back. Fellow panelist Nia-Malika Henderson added that Harris herself has suggested she may consider “another go at it,” keeping her name in the mix despite her current position.
Henderson argued that Newsom has managed to seize the spotlight from other Democrats, including those from his own state, by positioning himself as a constant foil to President Donald Trump.
She described Newsom’s approach as aggressive and attention-grabbing, particularly on social media.
“Gavin Newsom, though, has, I think, stolen the spotlight from his fellow Californian by being in Donald Trump’s face,” Henderson said. She pointed to Newsom’s online presence, calling it “very pugnacious, very Trumpian” in tone, and suggested that this is a deliberate strategy to draw attention and dominate the conversation.
Henderson cautioned, however, that building a national campaign requires more than social media battles. She noted that traditional early primary states like Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire still matter. Even so, she said Newsom “looks pretty good” at this early stage.
Henderson also floated another potential contender: Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia. She described Warnock as an “incredibly talented politician” who has demonstrated an ability to win statewide in a competitive state. Henderson noted that Warnock recently delivered a speech focused on spirituality and affordability at the Center for American Progress, adding him to what she jokingly referred to as a long list of possible Democratic hopefuls.
Bash brought up Newsom’s latest effort to raise his national profile, noting that the California governor has released a new book, which he has been promoting on social media. That prompted commentary from CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, who acknowledged Newsom’s current advantages while offering a note of caution.
“Well, he starts out by acknowledging the fact that yeah, some of you don’t like me,” Zeleny said, noting that Newsom seems aware of his polarizing reputation. Zeleny said Newsom is clearly ahead of a crowded Democratic field, citing his success in redistricting and the sheer visibility that comes with governing the nation’s most populous state.
At the same time, Zeleny warned that early frontrunners often struggle to maintain their edge. History, he said, is not kind to candidates who peak too early. “Often, that person has a hard time staying,” Zeleny said, pointing out that the Democratic race remains wide open despite Newsom’s early momentum.
The discussion highlighted a party still searching for direction, with no clear heir apparent and a long list of ambitions waiting to collide as 2028 approaches.
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