2028 Democratic Hopefuls Descend on New York, Vying for Support at Sharpton's National Action Network Conference

NEW YORK — The unofficial starting line for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination is being drawn this week in a Manhattan ballroom. As Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN) convenes its annual conference, a parade of the party’s most prominent figures is taking the stage, offering early glimpses of their platforms and directly appealing to one of the Democratic coalition's most vital pillars: Black voters and activists.

The four-day event has quickly become a critical early audition for a field that promises to be crowded, especially with President Joe Biden barred from seeking a third term. The absence of a clear frontrunner has intensified the behind-the-scenes maneuvering, making forums like NAN’s essential for building relationships and testing messages.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro set a combative tone on the conference's opening day, framing the upcoming election as a referendum on former President Donald Trump. "We should at least, at a baseline, have an honorable president of the United States. We do not have that right now," Shapiro asserted, linking Trump's rhetoric to a rise in intolerance. His speech highlighted both his electoral appeal in a key battleground state and his alignment with civil rights priorities, from defending DEI programs to police accountability.

Shapiro was far from alone. The speaker list reads like a preliminary 2028 primary roster: Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, California Congressman Ro Khanna, and Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. Vice President Kamala Harris, the party's 2024 nominee, is also scheduled to address the gathering.

The concentrated outreach is no accident. The decisive role of Black voters in Democratic primaries was cemented in 2020, when then-candidate Joe Biden's commanding win in South Carolina, powered overwhelmingly by Black support, resurrected his campaign and propelled him to the nomination. That lesson is front of mind for every aspiring candidate in the room.

"Everybody's talking about who may run for president," said Rev. Al Sharpton, NAN's founder and president. "I want to first know what their vision is now, and what they’re doing now. So I’ve invited all of the people that could run."

While criticism of Trump is a unifying theme, several speakers emphasized the need for a positive, forward-looking agenda. Congressman Ro Khanna, a progressive ally of Senator Bernie Sanders, told The Associated Press that connecting with Black voters requires "speaking to the Civil Rights tradition and offering a vision rooted in Black history." He argued that any successful platform "must be as much inspired by the greats of Douglass and King" while addressing contemporary struggles for racial and economic justice.

The audience's engaged response did not go unnoticed. "I was surprised by the energy in the room," said Ashley Sharpton, Rev. Sharpton's youngest daughter, who attended the first-day sessions. "That’s why people come. They want to get some of that energy, that consistency, that base."

Voices from the Crowd

We spoke to several attendees after the first day of speeches to gauge their reactions:

Marcus Johnson, 52, Community Organizer from Brooklyn: "It's refreshing to see them come to us this early. It shows respect. Shapiro was strong on accountability, but I'm waiting to hear more concrete economic plans from the others. The test is whether they show up in our communities when the cameras aren't rolling."

Elena Rodriguez, 38, Political Consultant from D.C.: "This is retail politics at the national level. They're not just checking a box. They're trying to build a narrative and a relationship. Khanna's point about linking past struggles to a future vision is exactly the conversation we need to have."

David Chen, 45, Non-Profit Director from Chicago: "All this feels painfully premature. We haven't even gotten through 2024, and the same cast is already lining up for the next cycle. It's a symptom of a broken, perpetual campaign system. They're all so careful, so polished. Where's the genuine urgency about the issues facing people right now?"

Patricia Wells, 67, Retired Teacher from Atlanta: "I remember when candidates took Black voters for granted. This is different. They know the power sits here. But hearing them is one thing; seeing them deliver is another. I'm listening closely to who talks about protecting voting rights and education. That's my litmus test."