As of early June 2025, an AtlasIntel poll of 3,469 adults, including 930 self-identified Democrats, reveals shifting preferences for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
Pete Buttigieg currently leads the field with 31.5% support among Democratic respondents, an increase of 3.8% since April. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds second place at 19.4%, up 3.5%, while Kamala Harris‘s support has decreased by 7.5% to 16.6%.
Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and former Secretary of Transportation, is clearly signaling his interest in another presidential campaign. He has been actively engaging with potential voters through town halls in Iowa, reaching out to past donors, and notably, even gaining traction with “MAGA bros” on podcasts. One surprised listener reportedly exclaimed, “We’re turning into such libs!” Buttigieg has achieved this by articulating compelling arguments about the crucial role of government in scientific and technological progress.
He gained national recognition during his 2020 presidential campaign, winning the Iowa caucuses and placing second in the New Hampshire primary. As the first openly gay cabinet secretary, his tenure as Secretary of Transportation had focused on initiatives such as increasing consumer protections for air travelers and implementing significant infrastructure investments.
Buttigieg has also publicly reflected on past Democratic strategies, citing, for example, the profound costs of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. His political background includes a career as a McKinsey consultant. His former senior advisor, Lis Smith, commented that his current activities mirror his approach during the 2020 cycle.
Buttigieg himself has stated he is “assessing” what he “brings to the table.”
