Speculation Grows Around Jon Ossoff’s 2028 Presidential Prospects

Senator Jon Ossoff’s standing in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary has seen a rise in prediction markets, surpassing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. With potential candidates considering entry into the race, the next few months could be pivotal for the presidential field. Candidates might start announcing campaigns as soon as next year after the midterms.

On the Democratic side, many prospective candidates are already embarking on trips to key primary states. These efforts aim at raising their profiles and making connections with voters. Ossoff, currently representing Georgia in the U.S. Senate, is among those mentioned as potential 2028 contenders. This year, he is also up for reelection to his Senate seat.

Polling Data and Prediction Markets

The actual primaries will not start for over a year, but early insights from polls and prediction markets provide indications of candidates’ initial traction with the electorate. These signals are crucial for candidates to attract donors, raise funds, and gain media visibility. At this stage, they also reflect the initial public awareness of potential candidates.

Newsweek sent email requests for comments from Ossoff and Ocasio-Cortez’s teams.

Ossoff’s Climb in Prediction Markets

Ossoff has generally downplayed the talks of a 2028 presidential run; however, recent prediction market trends show an increase in his chances. His likelihood of winning the Democratic nomination rose to 16% on Friday, ahead of Ocasio-Cortez’s 14%, according to Polymarket. Only California Governor Gavin Newsom had a higher percentage at 20%.

Previously, Ossoff’s numbers were lower. He had a 9% chance one month ago and less than 4% at the year’s start on January 1, according to Polymarket predictions. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro had chances of 7% and 5%, respectively.

Ossoff’s market position also improved on Kalshi, showing a 16% probability of winning. This puts him close to Newsom’s 18% and above Ocasio-Cortez’s 15%.

Polling on Democratic Candidates

A new poll by Emerson College indicates Buttigieg as a front-runner, with 19% of respondents supporting him, followed by Newsom at 17%. Ossoff and Ocasio-Cortez each received 13%, while Harris secured 8%.

Other Democrats in the poll included Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear at 7%, Shapiro at 5%, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at 3%. Two percent backed California Representative Ro Khanna, with an additional 13% undecided. The poll surveyed 574 Democrats between July 19-20, with a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Another McLaughlin poll showed Harris leading with 28% support, followed by Newsom with 17%, Ocasio-Cortez at 10%, Buttigieg at 8%, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly at 7%. Ossoff was not included in this particular poll, which surveyed 1,000 voters from July 15-21, 2026.

Ossoff’s Senate Focus

Ossoff has reiterated his lack of interest in a 2028 presidential campaign, stating to CNN his focus remains on his Georgia reelection bid. The Cook Political Report considers his Senate race as Lean Democrat, aligning with Sabato’s Crystal Ball. These forecasts illustrate the competitiveness of Georgia, a state that has grown more politically balanced.

In this year’s electoral contest, Ossoff faces GOP Representative Mike Collins. Strong performances in his Senate race could bolster calls for a future presidential run, especially as Democrats seek viable candidates for purple states. Some Democrats see Ossoff as a unifying figure for the party, which faces ideological divisions ahead of the midterms.

Recent polling by AARP highlights Ossoff’s lead in Georgia, with 52% of likely voters supporting him versus Collins’ 43%. This survey was undertaken by Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research, covering 1,060 likely Georgia voters from July 13-16, 2026, and carried a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

Potential Candidates Contemplating 2028

Other Democrats have left the door open for a 2028 run. Harris, frequenting states like Michigan and South Carolina recently, hinted at a potential bid during an April interview with Al Sharpton at the National Action Network’s convention, citing her proximity to the presidency during her tenure as Vice President.

Newsom acknowledged the possibility of running in a June 2025 interview, though he claimed not to plan actively for a bid. Ocasio-Cortez discussed presidential speculation in a May conversation with David Axelrod, emphasizing her focus on policy changes over personal political advancement.

Editorial contacts for this Newsweek article include Gabe Whisnant and Sam Wilson.