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The Washington Post·October 19, 2026
What the final stretch of the US midterms says about the 2028 presidential field
Early positioning
The 2028 race remains unofficial, with no prominent candidate formally declaring a campaign. Still, several likely contenders are using the closing weeks of the 2026 midterm cycle to build visibility and relationships inside their parties.
Potential contenders
Vance is widely viewed as the leading Republican prospect. On the Democratic side, Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are among the figures publicly linked to a possible bid, while other potential contenders are also testing their appeal.
What comes next
The midterm results could reshape the field by rewarding or weakening candidates, influencing party strategy, and revealing which issues motivate voters. Any assessment of the eventual winner remains highly speculative this far from the election.