Political Strategist James Carville Picks His Early Favorite for 2028 Democratic Nomination
In a revealing interview that has sparked early speculation about the Democratic Party's future, legendary political strategist James Carville identified Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as the candidate he believes could lead the party in the 2028 presidential election.
Speaking on the program Arroyo Grande with host Raymond Arroyo, Carville dismissed several high-profile names when asked who could "carry the flag" for Democrats post-2024. He ruled out Vice President Kamala Harris and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, while acknowledging former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel would influence the dialogue.
Carville outlined two critical criteria for a successful 2028 run: the capacity to raise massive early campaign funds and the ability to connect authentically with Black communities and institutions. On fundraising, he pointed to Governors Gavin Newsom (CA), Josh Shapiro (PA), and JB Pritzker (IL). On the second, more personal metric, only Pritzker remained.
"If I had to say one guy... if I were betting the Kentucky Derby and I saw this 12-to-1 horse... I'd take JB Pritzker," Carville stated, comparing the political landscape to a long-shot wager.
When pressed by Arroyo on why not Harris, Carville was blunt: "She has no chance." He argued that Democrats would seek a clean break from the 2024 cycle, regardless of personal feelings toward current figures. "No Democrat wants anything to do with anybody that had anything to do with 2024," he explained, calling early name-recognition polls "meaningless."
Carville pointed to Pritzker's recent headline-making casino winnings—where the billionaire governor won $1.5 million playing craps and blackjack in Las Vegas—as an unexpected asset. "He's worth $3 billion and won a million and a half dollars... That makes people like him!" Carville argued, suggesting it made Pritzker relatable. "He campaigns hard. I bet you there's not a Black church in South Carolina that JB's not a part of the building fund committee."
The comments offer an early glimpse into the post-Biden Democratic power dynamics, where establishment figures are already weighing electability, financial muscle, and cultural connection.
Reactions & Analysis
Michael Torres, Political Science Professor, Georgetown University: "Carville is playing kingmaker years early. His emphasis on Pritzker's crossover appeal and personal wealth highlights a cold electoral calculus: the 2028 nominee must self-fund a primary blitz and rebuild the Obama-era coalition. It's less about ideology and more about logistical firepower."
Elena Rodriguez, Democratic Organizer, Chicago: "As someone who's worked with Pritzker's team, this tracks. He's methodically built national relationships and isn't afraid to spend. But reducing Black political support to 'building fund committees' is a dated, cynical view. Communities want substantive policy, not just photo-ops."
David Chen, Commentator, 'The Hill Report' Podcast: "This is classic Carville—provocative and deliberately dismissive of the current administration. Writing off Kamala Harris four years out is absurdly premature and disrespectful. It reeks of the same insider maneuvering that alienates the base. He's trying to anoint a billionaire while pretending it's about 'relatability.' Give me a break."
Sarah Jenkins, Former Iowa Caucus Director: "The casino anecdote is smarter than it sounds. Voters often prefer wealthy candidates who seem to enjoy their wealth openly rather than austerely. It's a quirky, humanizing detail in an era of overly polished politicians. Carville is spotting narrative potential early."