AOC and Gavin Newsom seen as the Democratic frontrunners for 2028

Updated March 9, 2026
Updated March 9, 2026By Chris Boline
politics betting 2028 president nominees

As the world turns in 2026, politics and political betting markets are already off to a wild start thanks to a variety of geopolitical events originating from the United States. Most recently, SBS wanted to shine a spotlight on the 2028 United States Presidential race and who some of the front runners are aside from the current sitting vice president, JD Vance. Per some markets, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of the frontrunners to run in 2028 as one of the most influential members of the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, California Gavin Newsom is another name to watch heading into the next election cycle following this year’s midterm elections. Additionally, Trump, but not the one you would expect, is also a dark horse contender for the Republicans as well. 

In this article, SBS will be going over the latest gambling notes coming from the political betting market space and also share some other thoughts and insights you can only find at SBS. 

To run for United States President in 2028BetOnlineBetUSBetNow
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez-150-150-150
Gavin Newsom+100+100+100
Donald Trump Jr.+500+500+500
Dwayne Johnson+500+500+500

Candidate Spotlight – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (-150)

After taking office at the age of 29, Ocasio-Cortez, or “AOC,” became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Per sources, she advocates a progressive platform that includes support for worker cooperatives, Medicare for All, tuition-free public colleges, a jobs guarantee, a Green New Deal, and abolishing ICE. Additionally, she is a leader of the left-wing faction of the Democratic Party and a member of the “Squad,” which is an informal progressive congressional bloc. Though it is uncertain what a presidential campaign would look like for her (in terms of her declaring this intent), if she did win, she would make history as the first-ever female president of the United States. 

Alexandria Ocasio-CortezTo run for President in 2028
-150
Bet Now

Candidate Spotlight – Gavin Newsom (+100)

A native of San Francisco, California, Newsom was elected mayor of the city of San Francisco in 2003 and was reelected in 2007. After that, he was elected as lieutenant governor of California in 2010 and reelected in 2014. He has been in his current role as governor of California since 2018, following his reelection in 2022. Per sources, in anticipation of a potential 2028 US presidential election campaign, Newsom has adjusted his political approach to appeal to a broader electorate. A key shift in his strategy has been his engagement with conservative voices, including hosting Trump supporters such as Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon on his podcast. However, this tactic has been criticized by his supporters and notable humanitarian and queer rights organizations both inside and outside California. He has also become more active on social media, acting as a foil to current President Trump. 

Gavin NewsomTo run for President in 2028
+100
Bet Now

Candidate Spotlight – Donald Trump Jr. (+400)

An American businessman and also an activist, Trump Jr. is the eldest child of President Trump, the 45th and 47th president of the United States. Per sources, Trump was active in both his father’s 2016 and 2020 election campaigns. Additionally, he cooperated with Russia in their interference in the 2016 U.S. elections and had a meeting with a Russian lawyer who promised damaging information about the campaign of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump Jr. also called for “total war” as the results were counted and promoted the stolen election conspiracy theory when his father lost in 2020. He was also vocal in attempts to overturn the results. Moreover, he spoke at a rally that led to the storming of the Capitol, where he threatened Trump’s opponents that “we’re coming for you.” Clearly a polarizing candidate, Trump Jr. is hard to overlook. 

Donald Trump Jr.To run for President in 2028
+400
Bet Now

Candidate Spotlight – Dwayne Johsnon (+500)

Perhaps the biggest outsider on this list, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is a household entertainment name and one of the biggest modern stars in Hollywood. In the past, the former pro wrestling heavyweight champion has expressed interest in running for president, telling USA Today in February 2021 that he would “consider a presidential run in the future if that’s what the people wanted.” Following an online poll which found that 46% of Americans would consider voting for Johnson in an election, he told Today in April 2021. “I do have the goal to unite our country, and I also feel that if this is what the people want, then I will do that,” Johnson said. Of course, between moonlighting in WWE and his active entertainment and business career, never say never when it comes to The Rock. 

Dwayne JohnsonTo run for President in 2028
+500
Bet Now

Prediction: While it remains very plausible that all of these candidates will run at some point in the upcoming national election cycle, Newsom seems to be the most “sure thing” of any of these potential nominees as it pertains to who will be the next Presidential nominee. 

Other notes regarding political betting markets

After you are all caught up in relation to the latest gaming news and updates coming from the world of politics, make sure to check out the excellent array of information for you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the discipline covered in this article, the politics betting sites rundown is a must-read resource that goes over all kinds of political betting markets and beyond. On a separate note, for those intrigued by diversifying their deposit and withdrawal options, the payment methods guide is a must-read resource. Here, qualified patrons can find all kinds of options from crypto to more traditional banking routes. Finally, for those eligible and on the go, the best betting apps breakdown is an excellent resource as well. Here, you can learn more about the nuances of mobile betting and how you can stay on top of the action wherever you are. 

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About the Author

Chris Boline
Chris Boline

Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.

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