Kamala Harris Draws Biggest Crowd at Dems' 2028 Preview Event

A bevy of potential 2028 presidential candidates courted Black voters at Al Sharpton's annual gathering.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:34pm

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone political figure standing on a city street corner, the scene bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the weight of political ambition.In the lead-up to the 2028 election, potential Democratic candidates court Black voters at a pivotal event, underscoring the community's political influence.Atlanta Today

Several prominent Democrats, including Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Beto O'Rourke, spoke at Al Sharpton's annual National Action Network convention, a key event for courting Black voters ahead of the 2028 presidential election. Harris received the warmest welcome from the crowd, packing the event space over an hour before she took the stage. Other candidates like Booker and O'Rourke also drew enthusiastic responses, but no single contender emerged as an overwhelming favorite as voters kept their options open this early in the shadow primary.

Why it matters

The National Action Network convention is a crucial stop for Democratic presidential hopefuls looking to build support among Black voters, a crucial voting bloc. The event provides an early glimpse into the potential 2028 field and how candidates are positioning themselves to appeal to this key demographic.

The details

During the event, candidates touched on themes of economic opportunity, racial justice, and the need for the Democratic Party to do more to engage Black communities. Harris encouraged attendees to be 'transactional' with their vote, telling them to expect something in return. Other candidates like Beto O'Rourke and Cory Booker also received warm receptions, with Booker energizing the crowd with calls for grassroots organizing and addressing inequities.

  • The event took place on April 11, 2026.
  • It was held in a series of adjoining ballrooms in a Midtown Manhattan hotel.

The players

Kamala Harris

The former vice president and two-time presidential candidate, who is considered a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic nomination.

Cory Booker

The former U.S. senator from New Jersey, who also ran for president in 2020.

Beto O'Rourke

The former U.S. representative from Texas, who ran for president in 2020 and is considered a potential 2028 contender.

Al Sharpton

The civil rights activist and founder of the National Action Network, which hosted the event.

Andy Beshear

The governor of Kentucky, who also spoke at the event.

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What they’re saying

“Get yours. Vote and say, 'I'm voting because I expect something out of this.' I'm saying it's okay to also give people permission to be transactional, and to say, if you will get my vote, this is what I expect. I expect to get something out of this.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President

“While I will work with anyone, I will bow to no one.”

— Wes Moore, Potential 2028 Candidate

“I recognize that I will never feel the weight of discrimination, I'll never have to bear the burdens of a legacy of slavery and segregation and Jim Crow, but I can listen, I can learn, and I can surround myself with the types of leaders that can lift everyone up and leave no one behind.”

— Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky

What’s next

The 2028 Democratic primary race is still in its early stages, with potential candidates continuing to court key voting blocs like Black voters ahead of the next presidential election cycle.

The takeaway

This event provided an early glimpse into how the potential 2028 Democratic field is shaping up, with Kamala Harris emerging as an early frontrunner but no single candidate dominating the field. The candidates' focus on engaging Black voters underscores the importance of this voting bloc in Democratic presidential primaries.