Stephen A. Smith weighs in on 2028: Shapiro and Moore his favorites for the Democratic nomination

  

Sports commentator and media personality Stephen A. Smith surprised fans on his SiriusXM show "Straight Shooter with Stephen A." by weighing in on the political future of the Democratic Party, mentioning Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Maryland Governor Wes Moore as his top choices to lead the 2028 presidential ticket.

The statement came while responding to a call from a Wisconsin listener who identified himself as a "lifelong liberal" and suggested that California Governor Gavin Newsom was the party's most likely candidate. However, the listener admitted, "I'm not entirely convinced," leaving the door open to other emerging names.

Smith, who has expanded his profile beyond sports to the realms of social and political commentary, argued that both Shapiro and Moore represent a new generation of leadership within the Democratic Party. Shapiro, with his pragmatic style and his stewardship of a key state like Pennsylvania, and Moore, the first African-American governor in the history of Maryland, are seen by the analyst as figures capable of connecting with diverse constituents and projecting a renewed message for a future White House succession.

Although Gavin Newsom remains at the center of the national political radar, especially after his constant media exposure and clashes with Republican leaders, he is diminished by his poor administration in California, which even led to an increasing number of residents moving out of state. Thus, Smith's mention of Shapiro and Moore reflects the search for alternatives within the party that go beyond the already well-known names.

Smith's comment isn't an official prediction, but it does open a conversation about the importance of emerging state leadership in the race toward 2028, a process that will inevitably be influenced by the outcome of the 2024 presidential election and the Democratic Party's ability to renew its message to an increasingly divided electorate.