US Democrats divided over future direction as 2028 presidential race looms: Poll
- 48% of Democrats want their party to move toward political center, compared with 27% who favored shift to left
By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - Democrats remain divided over their party’s future direction and potential 2028 presidential candidates, while Republicans largely favor continuing President Donald Trump’s political agenda, according to a New York Times/Siena University poll on Saturday.
The survey, conducted on Oct. 12-19 among 3,494 registered voters nationwide, found that 48% of Democrats wanted their party to move toward the political center, compared with 27% who favored a shift to the left. Another 21% preferred maintaining the current course.
Among independent voters, 72% supported a centrist shift for Democrats, while 11% favored moving left.
No potential Democratic presidential nominee secured more than 12% support in the open-ended poll. Former Vice President Kamala Harris led with 12%, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 9%, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg 7% and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 6%.
Meanwhile, 45% of Democratic primary voters said they did not know whom they would support.
Republicans showed greater alignment around Trump's political legacy, with 63% favoring a continuation of his policies.
Vice President JD Vance emerged as the leading potential Republican nominee, receiving 33% support, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 23%. Trump himself received 8%, despite being constitutionally barred from seeking another presidential term.
The survey also highlighted differences within the Republican electorate: 34% wanted the party to move in a new direction, away from Trump. More than 80% of independent voters favored Republicans breaking with the president.
Berk Kutay Gökmen