Carville Sees Illinois Gov. Pritzker as Potential 2028 Dem Nominee

Democratic strategist says Kamala Harris has "no chance" at winning the party's next presidential nod.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:47am

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Longtime Democratic consultant James Carville says Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker could potentially be his party's best choice to lead Democrats to victory in the 2028 presidential election. Carville also argues that former Vice President Kamala Harris doesn't have a shot at winning the next Democratic presidential nomination, citing her performance in the 2024 election.

Why it matters

Carville's comments provide an insider's perspective on the potential 2028 Democratic field and the party's strategy heading into the next presidential race. His views on Pritzker and Harris as potential nominees offer insights into the political calculations and dynamics within the Democratic Party.

The details

Carville, who was the chief strategist for former President Bill Clinton's 1992 White House victory, says Pritzker "campaigns hard" and could be the Democrats' best option in 2028. He is sharply critical of Harris, saying she "has no chance" of winning the party's nomination, citing her performance in the 2024 election. Carville also questions whether Harris has the ability to energize the Black community if she launched another White House run.

  • Carville made these comments in a recent interview with Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo on his 'Arroyo Grande' podcast.

The players

James Carville

A longtime Democratic consultant who first gained national attention as the chief strategist for former President Bill Clinton's 1992 White House victory.

JB Pritzker

The billionaire governor of Illinois, who is a member of the Pritzker family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain and has started several of his own venture capital and investment startups.

Kamala Harris

The former Vice President who replaced then-President Joe Biden as the Democrats' 2024 presidential nominee after Biden dropped his bid, but ended up losing the general election to former President Trump.

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What they’re saying

“If I had to say one guy... I'd take JD Pritzker.”

— James Carville, Democratic strategist (Arroyo Grande* podcast)

“She has no chance.”

— James Carville, Democratic strategist (Arroyo Grande* podcast)

The takeaway

Carville's comments suggest the Democratic Party may be looking to move in a new direction for 2028, potentially favoring a candidate like Pritzker who has executive experience and can appeal to a broader range of voters, over more ideologically-driven figures like Harris. This could signal a shift in the party's strategy as it looks to regain the White House.