Democrats Rally Around Harris and Newsom Post-Trump Victory

Following President Trump’s significant win in the 2024 election, Democrats found themselves in a state of disarray. However, recent primary polls for 2028 reveal a shift as the party focuses on two prominent and, let’s say, divisive figures: Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

A national survey conducted among 800 likely Democratic primary voters between May 6th and May 11th explored 13 possible candidates using a ranked-choice voting format.

In the final tally, Harris, who previously ran for president in 2024, narrowly edged out Newsom with 52% to 48%, falling within the poll’s margin of error. Yet, these numbers expose a broader concern: the party remains fractured and struggles to ignite genuine excitement among its base, particularly after Trump’s substantial popular vote win and his success in the Electoral College—a significant first for a Republican in two decades.

Interestingly, only 26% of respondents picked Harris as their top choice, while Newsom garnered just 17%. Instead of unearthing new leaders, the Democrats appear to be recycling the same figures linked to the tumultuous Biden administration.

The ranked-choice voting system ultimately benefited both candidates as they gained support from those who preferred their eliminated rivals. While only 43% chose either Harris or Newsom as their first choice, a notable 80% included one or both in their top five candidates, reflecting continued interest in subsequent primaries.

Supporters of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were more inclined to back Harris, while those who rooted for Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Sen. Cory Booker leaned towards Newsom.

Notably, Newsom has been adopting a more combative online presence, reminiscent of Trump’s social media tactics—a surprising evolution for liberals who have criticized such strategies for years.

The poll results indicate that Democrats are generally in favor of ranked-choice voting itself, with 63% supporting it for the 2028 presidential primary. Post-poll, approval ratings shot up to 70%, and 84% of voters found it straightforward to rank candidates.

This poll surfaced alongside a comprehensive “autopsy” report from the Democratic National Committee, pointing out the strategic missteps of the party in the 2024 election. Authored by former Clinton advisor Paul Rivera, the report highlighted an over-reliance on “negative partisanship” and criticized former President Joe Biden’s team for failing to adequately prepare Harris after Biden stepped back from his re-election efforts in July 2024.

The report acknowledged the lack of effective countermeasures against Republican narratives that cast Harris as an ineffective “border czar” amid Biden’s immigration challenges. It also noted the effectiveness of a striking Trump campaign ad related to transgender issues that said, “Kamala is for them. President Trump is for you.”

In one of his more candid observations, Rivera remarked that Obama’s 2008 victory reflected Democrats’ challenges more than anything they had achieved themselves.