James Carville, a prominent consultant for the Democratic Party, suggests that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker might be the party’s strongest candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Carville, known for his role as chief strategist in Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign, doesn’t believe former Vice President Kamala Harris stands a chance of securing the Democratic nomination next time around.
The race for the Democratic nomination, set against the backdrop of a term-limited President Donald Trump, is anticipated to be both competitive and crowded. In a recent interview with Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo on the “Arroyo Grande” podcast, Carville identified Pritzker as a leading contender. “If I had to say one person…I would say J.B. Pritzker,” he stated, when asked about the potential flagbearer for the Democrats in 2028.
Interestingly, with the midterm elections just around the corner, the preparations for the next presidential election seem to be in full swing.
Pritzker, a billionaire from the well-known Pritzker family, which owns the Hyatt hotel chain, is running for a third term as Illinois governor this year. He has emerged as a significant figure opposing Trump and has actively campaigned in early voting states as part of his broader strategy for a presidential bid.
Carville remarked that Pritzker is “campaigning hard.”
When discussing Harris’s potential role in the next race, Carville was dismissive, saying, “She doesn’t have a chance.” Harris had previously taken over as the Democratic nominee after Biden stepped back in 2024, following a poor performance in a debate against Trump. She ultimately lost to Trump, who narrowly captured all the pivotal battleground states.
Carville identified concerns within the Democratic Party regarding Harris, suggesting that voters may prefer not to associate with someone whose relevance is tied to the previous election cycle. Moreover, he questioned her ability to engage the Black community if she decided to run again.
He emphasized that the essential principle for Democrats in 2028 should simply be to win. Carville also pointed out a critical consideration: “If you nominate two white men, no one will give you credit.”
Further, he expressed skepticism about New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a viable candidate. While acknowledging her intelligence and talent, he noted that the Democratic Party’s current culture is, in some ways, alienating certain voter demographics.
“Democratic culture has become very feminized and very critical, and that’s why we’ve alienated so many men,” he remarked, adding that this dynamic might hinder a broader appeal in the race ahead.
When prompted about other potential candidates, Carville mentioned Mitch Landrieu, the former lieutenant governor of Louisiana and ex-mayor of New Orleans, who had considered running in 2020 but opted against it.
Reflecting on past errors, Carville laid some blame for Trump’s electoral successes in 2016 and 2024 on former Presidents Obama and Biden, highlighting their handling of the financial crisis response. He criticized the decisions that involved aiding financial institutions rather than addressing the underlying issues that affected public sentiment.
Carville is quite firm in his stance, asserting that “one person is responsible for the election of Donald Trump in 2024, and that is Joe Biden, not Donald Trump.” He implied that had Biden left office sooner, the situation could have been less problematic for the Democratic Party.
