George Clooney Observes Democratic Figures Ahead of 2028 Election

Actor George Clooney has identified three Democrats he is observing for the 2028 presidential election. However, he plans to wait until after the November midterm elections before endorsing anyone. Two of the figures he highlighted, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, are up for reelection this year, while Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is not.

At an event in Venice in September, Clooney expressed interest in Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, citing the need for young voices introducing fresh ideas. He also mentioned liking Pritzker and Beshear but has not committed to a candidate. Newsweek reached out to Clooney, Ossoff, Pritzker, and Beshear for their comments.

Clooney previously made headlines during the 2024 presidential election when he published an opinion essay in The New York Times. He urged President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump. Biden eventually withdrew and endorsed Kamala Harris. Harris, however, lost the election to Trump.

Current polling suggests none of the three figures Clooney is considering is emerging as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination. The RealClearPolling national average shows Kamala Harris leading the pack with 26.3 percent, followed by Gavin Newsom at 14.3 percent, Pete Buttigieg at 12.6 percent, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 10 percent. Meanwhile, Jon Ossoff, Andy Beshear, and JB Pritzker trail behind.

Clooney’s interest in Ossoff indicates Ossoff’s promising position in presidential polling and his upcoming electoral test. Ossoff, who first won the Senate seat in 2021 after a narrow victory, is running again against Republican Mike Collins. The RealClearPolling average places Ossoff ahead with 51.1 percent compared to Collins’ 43.1 percent.

Pritzker faces reelection on November 3 as Governor of Illinois. Recent state polls show a strong lead over his Republican challenger Darren Bailey. However, his potential presidential candidacy has shown modest polling results, placing him far behind leading contenders.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear occupies a unique position, as he doesn’t face an election this year. His presidential polling numbers remain low, but he argues that a Democratic governor’s executive experience is vital for the White House.

The race remains undeveloped, with current polling reflecting name recognition and voter preferences rather than a definitive forecast of the 2028 election. Clooney remains noncommittal, stating he will decide on endorsements after the midterms.