{"id":422032,"date":"2026-08-02T21:45:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T21:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/422032\/"},"modified":"2026-08-02T21:45:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T21:45:13","slug":"pete-buttigieg-aoc-jon-ossoff-poll-ahead-of-california-dems-for-white-house-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/422032\/","title":{"rendered":"Pete Buttigieg, AOC, Jon Ossoff poll ahead of California Dems for White House run"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three Democratic heavyweights are now polling ahead of both California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris in the increasingly crowded race for the party\u2019s 2028 presidential nomination<\/a>, according to a new survey.<\/p>\n

A hypothetical Democratic primary poll conducted by The Public Sentiment Institute between July 25 and July 29 among 762 likely Michigan voters found former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg<\/a> leading the pack with 24.2% support.<\/p>\n

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff<\/a> followed at 13.9%, while New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came in third with 10.7%.<\/p>\n

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came in third with 10.7% in the hypothetical Democratic primary poll. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

That left Newsom in fourth place at 10%, narrowly behind Ocasio-Cortez<\/a>, while Harris trailed the field with just 5.1%.<\/p>\n

The Michigan results mark a striking contrast to earlier national polling, where Harris and Newsom had largely occupied the top two spots among Democratic hopefuls.<\/p>\n

A national Center Square Voters\u2019 Voice Poll released in June found Harris leading the field with 27% support, nearly double Newsom\u2019s 14%. Buttigieg placed third at 11%, while Ocasio-Cortez registered 8%.<\/p>\n

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff beat out AOC in the hypothetical poll conducted by The Public Sentiment Institute. Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/p>\n

That survey also showed California Dem Kamala Harris slipping from 33% in October to now single digits. AP Photo\/Angelina Katsanis<\/p>\n

That survey also showed both California Democrats slipping from earlier polling. Harris fell from 33% in October and 31% in March to 27%, while Newsom dropped from 21% to 14%, suggesting the race was beginning to open up.<\/p>\n

Another national Emerson College Polling survey released in May painted a less favorable picture for both Californians. <\/p>\n

Newsom led that poll with 16%, but Harris managed only 10%, while Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also reached double digits and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear climbed to 9%, signaling a broader field of contenders beginning to gain traction.<\/p>\n

Despite their weaker showing in the Michigan survey, betting markets continue to view Newsom as one of the Democrats\u2019 strongest potential nominees.<\/p>\n

Betting markets continue to view Gavin Newsom as one of the Democrats\u2019 strongest potential nominees. Anadolu via Getty Images<\/p>\n

As of Sunday, prediction market Polymarket gave Newsom the highest odds of winning the Democratic nomination at 19%. Ocasio-Cortez and Ossoff stood at 15% and14% respectively, followed by Harris at 9%. <\/p>\n

Kalshi\u2019s market painted a similar picture, placing Newsom at 18%, Ossoff at 15%, Ocasio-Cortez at 14%, and Harris at 9.5%. <\/p>\n

Several of the potential candidates have publicly addressed speculation about 2028.<\/p>\n

Harris, who has made appearances in early-voting states including Michigan and South Carolina, told Rev. Al Sharpton<\/a> in April she was considering another White House bid.<\/p>\n

\u201cI might. I am thinking about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cI spent countless hours in my West Wing office footsteps away from the Oval Office. I spent countless hours in the Oval Office and the Situation Room. I know what the job is, and I know what it requires.\u201d<\/p>\n

Newsom acknowledged last year that a presidential campaign remained a possibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not thinking about running, but it\u2019s a path that I could see unfold,\u201d he told\u00a0The Wall Street Journal\u00a0in June 2025.<\/p>\n

Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, has downplayed the idea of a White House campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy ambition is to change this country,\u201d she said during a conversation with former Obama adviser David Axelrod.<\/p>\n

Michigan voters found former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg leading the pack with 24.2% support. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\u201cPresidents come and go. Senate, House seats, elected officials come and go. But single-payer healthcare is forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cA living wage is forever, workers\u2019 rights are forever, women\u2019s rights, all of that, and so anyways\u2026to a finer point to your question is that when you aren\u2019t attached, when you haven\u2019t been like fantasizing about being this or that since the time you were 7 years old, it is tremendously liberating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ossoff has been even more direct, telling CNN he has no plans to seek the presidency.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not running for president in 2028, I have no interest in running for president in 2028.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Georgia senator added that he is \u201claser-focused\u201d on winning reelection this year.<\/p>\n

Other candidates in the poll included Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker<\/a>, who received 3.8%, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who drew 3.6%. More than one in five voters \u2014 21.7% \u2014 remained undecided, underscoring how unsettled the Democratic field remains more than two years before the election.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t