Pete Buttigieg Overtakes Kamala Harris as Democrats’ Top 2028 Contender Amid Trump’s Slipping Approval

A recent national poll has revealed growing shifts in the political landscape, offering early insights into potential frontrunners for the 2028 U.S. presidential election — and a surprising shake-up on the Democratic side.

According to a new Emerson College Polling survey, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has edged ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris as the top choice among Democratic voters for the party’s next presidential nominee.

This development comes at a time when President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House earlier this year as the 47th President, is experiencing a dip in his approval ratings. The poll shows that 45% of Americans currently approve of Trump’s performance, while 46% disapprove and 9% remain undecided. This marks a decline from January, when Trump’s approval stood at 49%.

A Rocky Start to Trump’s Second Term

Since reclaiming the presidency, Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders and implemented new tariffs. His renewed tenure has also been marked by notable public confrontations — including a highly publicized fallout with tech mogul Elon Musk.

The administration made international headlines last week when Trump ordered missile strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, triggering swift retaliation from Tehran, which launched rockets at a U.S. military base in Qatar. The rising tensions have added to the sense of uncertainty surrounding his leadership.

Reflecting that mood, the Emerson poll also found that 52% of respondents believe the country is “on the wrong track”, while 48% think the U.S. is moving in the right direction under Trump’s leadership.

Looking Ahead to 2028

While the 2028 election is still three years away, Democrats appear to be assessing their post-Biden options. The poll shows Pete Buttigieg emerging as the most favored potential candidate, narrowly overtaking Kamala Harris, who had long been considered the party’s heir apparent.

Buttigieg, who served as the Secretary of Transportation during the Biden administration and previously ran for president in 2020, appears to be gaining momentum among Democrats for his policy focus and communication style. Meanwhile, Harris’s support has seen a modest decline, raising questions about how the party will position itself in the next national race.

Though the political field for 2028 remains wide open, these early numbers suggest voters across both parties are already thinking ahead — and signaling potential changes to the future of American leadership.