After President Trump’s crushing 2024 victory sent Democrats into panic mode, a new 2028 primary poll out this week shows the party rallying around two familiar, and deeply polarizing, figures: Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The nationwide survey of 800 likely Democrat primary voters, conducted by Lake Research Partners from May 6-11, tested 13 potential Democratic contenders using a ranked choice voting simulation.
In the final ranked-choice matchup, failed 2024 presidential candidate Harris narrowly beat presumed presidential candidate Newsom 52% to 48%, through the result fell within the poll’s margin of error. But the topline numbers revealed a party still fractured and struggling to generate real enthusiasm after Trump became the first Republican nominee in 20 years to win the popular vote while steamrolling Democrats in the Electoral College.
