Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) has been named the frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, winning a straw poll at the Crooked Con progressive convention. Ossoff secured 38% of the vote, significantly outpacing other prominent Democrats.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) followed with 17% support, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg garnered 14%. Other notable figures like Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom all received single-digit percentages.
In contrast, former Vice President Kamala Harris received only 0.6% of the vote, placing her 16th and tied with Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.). This result stands in stark contrast to earlier polling, where Harris and Newsom had consistently led potential 2028 Democratic primary polls. According to a RealClearPolitics aggregate, Harris still leads with 21.8% nationally, followed by Newsom at 13.5%, and Ossoff in fifth place with 10.8%.
The Crooked Con convention, organized by Crooked Media, featured discussions among liberal figures about the future of the Democratic Party. While the straw poll is not a scientific survey, it offers insight into the sentiments of engaged progressive voters.
Ossoff, who recently won reelection to his Senate seat in Georgia by defeating Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), has previously stated he has "zero interest in running for president" and is focused on his Senate role. Despite these statements, his strong performance in the key battleground state and his oratory skills have fueled speculation about his presidential aspirations.
Ossoff has also differentiated himself from some progressive factions on policy, opposing Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He has also stated opposition to expanding the Supreme Court.