Meet the Democratic Rising Stars Who Could Shape 2028

In what is widely being referred to as a “blue tsunami,” the Democratic Party won control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections, gaining ground in deep-red and battleground states. The sweeping victory will reshape the final two years of President Donald Trump’s presidency and could have a significant impact on the 2028 presidential map.In formerly reliably Republican Texas, James Talarico defeated the Trump-backed Ken Paxton and became the first Democrat to be elected Senator by Texans since 1988. Texas state representative Gina Hinojosa pulled off a similar victory, defeating three-term governor Greg Abbott. She will be the state’s first ever Latina governor. Kansas, which Trump won by a margin of 16 points in 2024, elected Adam Hamilton, welcoming its first Democratic senator since 1932.Seth Masket, a professor of political science at the University of Denver, describes the election as “a pretty stunning rebuke of Trump and the Republicans,” one that has given Democrats “a lot more confidence” heading into 2028.With momentum now behind the party, Democrats are already setting their sights on a return to the White House. “Over the next two years, Democrats will sh...