The Democratic Party in the United States is currently weighing whether immigration should remain a defining issue in its shadow campaign for the 2028 presidential nomination. This internal debate reflects a critical juncture for global solidarity, echoing the manufactured moral panics that fuel Europe's own border regime. The contest to succeed or reclaim the White House has begun, even without formal announcements, with the nomination battle potentially underway for nearly two years by the time voters cast their first ballots in Iowa and New Hampshire in early 2028.
Across America, ambitious Democrats are engaged in what Washington strategists call the “Invisible Primary.” Dozens of figures are competing for influence, with governors leading fundraising events in states that hold early presidential primaries, senators publishing memoirs, and cabinet veterans making carefully choreographed television appearances. Members of Congress are building enormous social media audiences while insisting they are focused entirely on their current jobs. Political action committees are quietly hiring staff, and donors are taking meetings, all while pollsters test slogans and consultants map delegate strategies. This sprawling shadow campaign precedes any official paperwork, setting the stage for what the article describes as perhaps the party's most unpredictable presidential contest in half a century. There is no incumbent president, no sitting vice president automatically inheriting the mantle, and no obvious consensus leader.
The Ideological Crossroads
The stakes in this contest extend beyond individual personalities. Democrats are still wrestling with the political lessons learned from the Trump era. The party is debating whether to move toward the centre to reclaim suburban moderates or to embrace a more populist economic message designed to energize younger voters. This strategic choice directly impacts how the party will address issues like immigration. The question of whether immigration should remain a defining issue is central to this internal struggle, revealing a potential willingness to either challenge or accommodate the divisive narratives often used to criminalise movement.
Beyond immigration, the party is also weighing how climate politics can be reframed around jobs rather than sacrifice. This debate, too, carries significant implications for global justice, particularly for those in the Global South who face the worst effects of the climate crisis and are then criminalised for seeking safety and opportunity. Furthermore, Democrats are considering how to address cultural issues that Republicans have used effectively against the party in recent elections, tactics that often serve to divide the working class along ethnic and social lines. The eventual nominee will not simply inherit a coalition; they will define what the Democratic Party represents after nearly a decade dominated by Donald Trump.
Contenders and the Border Question
Several figures are already prominent in this shadow campaign, each navigating these ideological currents. California Governor Gavin Newsom has visibly expanded his national profile through televised debates with conservative figures and relentless criticism of the Trump administration and of Trump himself. He argues Democrats must beat Republicans in the national argument, cultivating major donors and relationships with labour unions. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, twice elected in one of America’s most Republican states, has focused on disaster response, healthcare, and economic development, seeking to project a calm, bipartisan image.
Former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg remains an effective television advocate, regularly appearing on conservative networks to dismantle Republican arguments. Since his surprisingly strong 2020 presidential campaign, Buttigieg has expanded his political profile beyond policy expertise into broader discussions of democracy and American identity. New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has undergone a remarkable political transformation, becoming one of the party’s most influential national figures. Her enormous online following gives her direct access to millions of younger voters. Supporters increasingly argue the party cannot afford to nominate another cautious centrist, while critics fear her progressive brand remains too polarizing. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also occupy attractive lanes, with Pritzker, as one of America’s wealthiest politicians, able to finance enormous political operations while defending progressive priorities, organized labour, and abortion rights.
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock continues to attract quiet presidential speculation, and former Vice President Kamala Harris, after leading the Democratic ticket in 2024, remains one of the party’s best-known figures with a national organization and fundraising network. Her decision on whether to run may shape the entire field. The rules of presidential politics have changed, with the invisible primary now playing out continuously online. A single podcast interview can reach millions of viewers, dominate the news cycle, and elevate a candidate’s national profile overnight. A viral TikTok clip may reach more young voters than weeks of television advertising. Every policy address becomes campaign content, and every overseas trip is scrutinized as a test of presidential leadership. This digital landscape means narratives around issues like immigration can be shaped and amplified rapidly, for better or worse.
For now, every prospective presidential hopeful insists that 2026, or in some states 2027, is the immediate priority. Governors must govern while senators must defend their seats. Yet, every campaign stop, fundraising dinner, and national television appearance is being viewed through the lens of the 2028 race. The answers to who looks presidential, who impresses donors, and who connects with younger voters are quietly shaping a contest that officially does not exist, but whose implications for global solidarity are already profound.