US presidential elections 2028: Three top Democrats lead primary poll; who are they?

Kamala Harris has emerged as the early Democratic frontrunner for the 2028 US presidential race, according to a new poll, placing her well ahead of other potential candidates despite her landslide defeat in 2024 against Trump

The survey, conducted by Echelon Insights and released on Monday, shows the former US vice president leading the Democratic primary field with 26% support among Democrats and Democrat-leaning voters.

Buttigieg and Newsom trail behind Harris

Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and California governor Gavin Newsom are the only other Democrats to receive double-digit support in the poll, with 11% and 10% respectively.

Rounding out the top five are senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, backed by 7% of respondents, and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who gained 6% support.

The poll also included a few political outsiders. Entrepreneur Mark Cuban led that group with 3%, while sports commentator Stephen A. Smith and comedian Jon Stewart each received 1%.

Thirteen percent of Democratic respondents said they were undecided, a reminder that the primaries are still more than two years away and voter sentiment could shift.

Support shifts when Harris excluded

The poll also tested the field without Harris, who is reportedly considering a run for governor in California. In that scenario, both Buttigieg and Newsom saw a slight boost, rising to 12% each.

Without Harris in the mix, Ocasio-Cortez jumped to third place with 9%, followed by Booker at 8% and Minnesota governor Tim Walz, who entered the top five with 7%.

JD Vance dominates Republican field

On the Republican side, US vice president JD Vance is the clear leader. The poll shows him with 42% support from Republican and Republican-leaning voters, a commanding 33-point lead over his nearest competitor, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who polled at 9%.

Trailing them are Secretary of State Marco Rubio (7%), former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley (6%), health and human services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (5%) and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy (4%).

Sixteen percent of Republican respondents said they were not sure whom they would support, reports the New York Post.