Scoop: Democrats eyeing 2028 bids court Warren

Axios Axios —

Massachusetts Sen. https://www.axios.com/2026/01/11/warren-democrats-2028-makeover" target="_blank">Elizabeth Warren, one of most influential leaders in the progressive movement, is being publicly and privately courted by Democrats eyeing presidential bids in 2028 — a sign they're trying to build up their lefty credentials.

Why it matters: Progressives are on the rise in the party, and Warren is a key ally to have.

She https://www.axios.com/2020/04/15/elizabeth-warren-endorses-joe-biden-president" target="_blank">lost her bid for the White House in 2020 but played a major role in shaping Joe Biden's presidency by installing her allies in his administration.

  • Her moves haven't been without controversy.

    Some centrist Democrats worry that Warren has helped pushed the party too far to the left.

Zoom in: Now, Warren's working to put her stamp on the 2028 Democratic primary.

She met privately with Kentucky Gov. https://www.axios.com/2025/08/13/beshear-2028-president-jeffries-donors" target="_blank">Andy Beshear for tea this month and has a texting relationship with California Gov. https://www.axios.com/2026/03/27/axios-show-gavin-newsom-extended-interview" target="_blank">Gavin Newsom, Axios has learned.

  • Both potential contenders for president are more moderate than Warren, a frequent target of President Trump and conservatives because of her push for consumer protections and corporate regulation.
  • Warren also has been talking with former Biden and Obama officials about how a future Democratic president could reshape the federal government in light of Trump's DOGE cuts, a person familiar with the discussions told us.

Newsom https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/12/newsom-appoints-rohit-chopra-california-consumer-agency-00917844" target="_blank">took a major stephttps://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/12/newsom-appoints-rohit-chopra-california-consumer-agency-00917844" target="_blank"> to woo Warren World when he tapped one of the senator's protégés, Rohit Chopra, to lead a new consumer agency in California this month.

Warren likewise has teamed up with New York Rep. https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-ocasio-cortez-team-up-to-lower-costs-deliver-universal-child-care" target="_blank">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fellow progressive and potential 2028 contender, on policy.

  • In February, AOC became the House co-lead on a bill by Warren aimed at implementing universal child care.

What they're saying: In an interview with Axios, Warren praised Beshear's efforts to https://www.lpm.org/news/2026-05-07/beshear-announces-universal-pre-k-program-in-two-rural-kentucky-counties" target="_blank">expand pre-K access in his state.

She said that during their meeting, they discussed the prospect of universal pre-K at the federal level.

  • "He talked about the difference it would make for families in Kentucky," she said. "I leaned back and thought: 'This is someone who gets it.

    He's not checking the box.'"

  • Warren also had warm words for AOC — saying that she "does the hard work and digs deep on policy" — and praised Newsom's work to expand free pre-K in California.

The other side: Liam Kerr, co-founder of the center-left WelcomePAC, expressed dismay that potential presidential candidates are meeting with Warren.

  • "Elizabeth Warren literally hired 1,000 people for her presidential campaign, got 7% in South Carolina, and then seemingly hired 1,000 people into the Biden administration," he said.
  • "Not sure which of those three [things] candidates want advice on, but hopefully not the last one," Kerr added.

Zoom out: Besides meeting with potential 2028ers, Warren has been making a push to shape the next presidential primary — and has suggested there's one potential 2028er she's less pleased with.

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