Sharpton Sizes Up Potential 2028 Democratic Contenders at Convention

The civil rights leader shared his impressions of the politicians who spoke at his organization's event.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:18pm

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A solitary politician stands alone in a dimly lit government building hallway, the warm light and deep shadows creating a contemplative, cinematic mood that captures the high-stakes uncertainty of the next presidential race.As potential 2028 Democratic contenders jockey for position, the mood of quiet contemplation and uncertainty reflects the high stakes of the next presidential election.NYC Today

The Rev. Al Sharpton invited a group of Democrats weighing 2028 presidential runs to a convention hosted by his civil rights group, the National Action Network. After the event, Sharpton shared his thoughts on how the potential candidates performed, including surprises like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and former Vice President Kamala Harris hinting at a run.

Why it matters

Sharpton's convention provided an early opportunity for these Democrats to connect with a key constituency - Black voters - ahead of a potential 2028 presidential race. His impressions offer insight into how these politicians may be positioning themselves and resonating with this important voting bloc.

The details

Sharpton said he was surprised by how open former Vice President Kamala Harris appeared to be to running for president again, and by how taken the audience was with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a 'relative unknown' whom he compared to former President Bill Clinton. Sharpton also shared his thoughts on the performances of other potential candidates like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, and others. Some, like Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Ruben Gallego, were less familiar to the crowd.

  • The four-day convention was held in New York by the National Action Network in April 2026.

The players

Rev. Al Sharpton

The founder and president of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization with chapters across the United States.

Kamala Harris

Former Vice President of the United States.

Andy Beshear

Governor of Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“Kamala came a little closer than I thought she would to saying she may run. She didn't say she would. But she came right up to the edge. And I was not looking for that. Though I'm glad she did if that's how she feels.”

— Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President, National Action Network

“I surprisingly heard one or two pretty influential chapter leaders say to me, you know we may be looking at another '92 with this Beshear guy.”

— Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President, National Action Network

What’s next

Sharpton's convention provided an early look at how these potential 2028 Democratic candidates may be positioning themselves. As the election cycle approaches, it will be important to see if any of these politicians formally declare their candidacy and how they continue to engage with the Black community and other key voting blocs.

The takeaway

Sharpton's impressions of the potential 2028 Democratic contenders who spoke at his convention offer valuable insights into how these politicians may be resonating with a crucial constituency - Black voters - as they potentially prepare for a future presidential run.