Mirsky's List: Strongest Candidates 4 Prez in 2028: Wartime Chaos Edition

This is Attorney David Mirsky, Exeter political writer and observer, with some out-of-place out of time thoughts about the 2028 Presidential Election, as seen from my perch in the Revolutionary Capital of Exeter, New Hampshire, where it all began (?) Some would argue it all began elsewhere, but that's a matter for another day.

I'm writing this list right here and now, March 31, 2026, because I promised online to do so a few days ago and I want to keep my promise. I don't see my views right now as particularly important, but here they are:

The Democrats

(culled from jotted down notes on my IPhone-16)

1. CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM: The power center of the Democratic Party is San Francisco, hate to tell you that, but they have all the money. And money talks in politics, as is widely known. And Gavin Newsom, aside from the access he has to the necessary funds, is a strong leader, a very strong person, not afraid of any other politician. And he projects strength, which is something America needs right now. So, Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, and former Mayor of San Francisco, is topping my list for today.

[by the way, there's a War going on over in Iran and the rest of the Middle East, so none of this stuff I'm saying today is really immediately important. If I were you, I'd seek out a podcast on Spotify or something].

If the Dems want to win it all in 2028, they should strongly consider supporting California Governor Gavin Newsom and just leave the rest of the whole ballgame alone for a while. This is the strongest Democrat because he's the strongest person. Undeniably so. Nobody cares about anything you might want to criticize: the fires of last year are all out, and you can't even blame a politician for those fires, much as the GOP would like to, because it is highly likely (check the news reports) that many if not all of these fires were set by arsonists seeking attention. You're not going to pick your president by consulting with arsonists now, are you?

So anyway, if you are a real Dem, you should give the strongest candidate a chance to win without excessive criticism from the peanut gallery. So I say, just give it up for Gavin Newsom!!!

2. Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky. Many important people in New Hampshire politics (much more important than myself) consider this guy to be a strong contender for 2028 because he is a Democrat who won election to become the Governor of a very red, very Republican, practically speaking anti-Democratic State. They really do look at such things, the professionals. Don't ask me why. There is really and truly no rhyme or reason behind any of this. Just look at the current people in charge: Do they really have any idea of how to fight a war against real tried and true evil terrorists? Can they reduce the price of gasoline, or even the price of pretzels? No, they cannot.

3. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York City. The most popular person in the Democratic Party of the East Coast, hands down. People are saying she may not run for President because she is focused right now on winning re-election to the U.S. Congress, where she is a very very powerful voice who stands up for working people and for everyone who needs affordable health care. (Newsflash to Republicans: that includes EVERYONE). I would expect Ms. Ocasio-Cortez to be taking her time about this running for President thing, because she is actually popular with the voters, stands for things people want (like staying healthy, housed, and protected against rip-offs). So, notwithstanding Gavin Newsom or any EXPERTS on this stuff, I fully expect U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (they call her @AOC on Twitter/X) to become our President one day. Maybe in January of 2029, who knows?

4. Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. V.P. Harris actually won the State of New Hampshire in 2024, a better credential than anyone else in the race will actually have by the time we here in Exeter get our chance to vote in the 2028 New Hampshire Primary. I really worked hard for Kamala Harris in 2024, so I'm rooting for her to make a strong, steady, carefully bold comeback. Maybe win this thing.

5. Governor Wes Moore of the Great State of Maryland. Let's see more of Wes Moore. Hope he visits Exeter this year. Maybe hold a highly informative, inspiring Town Hall Meeting at our famous Exeter Town Hall, the scene of every important political gathering that ever went on in New Hampshire.

6. Hillary Clinton is coming to New Hampshire very soon. Check it out with the State Democratic Party. She's baaaaaaaaaaack!

7. New Jersey U.S. Senator Cory Booker. He must first win re-election in New Jersey this fall. But he is expected to do that, is expected to run for President, and can win it all this time, as he has come forward as a leader in the fight for Health Care For All.

So stay tuned.

REPUBLICANS

People like to say current U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has a chance for the Republican Nomination in 2028, but I do not see anyone in that Party unseating their strongest candidate, our current Vice President J.D. Vance. Even the Iranians (apparently) want to hang out with him.

That's it for now. If you didn't like this list, please enter your own faves in the Comments section below.