(NewsNation) — Some of the biggest names in the Democratic party are taking center stage this week at the Rev. Al Sharpton’s annual National Action Network Convention in New York City as the party looks toward the 2028 presidential election.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is slated to speak alongside a list of likely presidential contenders, who are making their pitch to Black voters. The event is centered on making the Democrats’ messaging clear for the midterms and beyond.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker are set to speak Thursday, with Harris and Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on the schedule for Friday. Harris’ appearance could give her a chance to reassert her place as the front-runner in what could become a crowded 2028 field.

Markets slip as Iran ceasefire shows signs of strain

Sharpton says he wants the candidates to share their vision for the party’s future — and some say it’s time for a change.

“We need more moral clarity in our party. And conviction in our party,” said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. “We are going to stand for human rights in this country. We’re going to stand for economic rights and economic justice, and we’re going to stand for a moral vision of America. What I would say is that the Democratic Party, we need to let it rip a little more. We need to talk about our moral vision a little bit more. We need to be conviction-based.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says Democrats need to rethink their message heading into the next White House race. He says the party needs to have a real debate about what it stands for.

“If we have this national referendum in the midterms and people show up in record numbers, we have an opportunity to have a real debate within our party about what we stand for. About what our affirmative vision is,” Shapiro said. “What I can tell you for sure is I want to be a part of that debate.”

Diddy to ask for immediate release in appeal hearing

In response, Sharpton asked Shapiro if he wanted to be “possibly part of our National Action Network’s 2028 Democratic presidential debate?”

“I don’t know if I said that,” Shapiro said.

“But you didn’t deny it either,” Sharpton countered.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is another likely contender for the 2028 presidential race, but his team says he won’t be attending the convention due to a scheduling conflict. However, Newsom met with Sharpton earlier this year to discuss his vision for the future.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.