The Democrat Party is already tearing itself apart over 2028—and it’s Gavin Newsom versus Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) at the center of the fight.
A new report from betting platform Polymarket shows California Governor Gavin Newsom pulling 7 points ahead of AOC, the socialist congresswoman from New York, in a hypothetical primary matchup. That’s a sharp rise from earlier this month, when he led her by only 4 points.
The Democrat Civil War Heats Up
Neither Newsom nor AOC has officially announced a run, but both are making their moves. Newsom has been crisscrossing the country, raising cash, giving speeches, and polishing his image as a so-called “centrist.” Meanwhile, AOC is doubling down on her radical socialist brand, posting campaign-style videos and traveling with Bernie Sanders to fire up the far-left base.
For conservatives, it’s clear: Newsom is playing the slick politician, while AOC is proudly embracing socialism. Both are dangerous—but their internal fight is exposing just how divided the Democrat Party really is.
Newsom’s Shadow Campaign
Since Joe Biden bowed out in 2024 and Kamala Harris lost badly to President Trump, Newsom has quietly positioned himself as the heir to Democrat power. He’s building a massive war chest, courting media attention, launching his own podcast, and even mocking Trump online in a desperate bid to stay relevant.
His goal? To sell himself as a “moderate” who can win back swing voters. But to many Americans, Newsom remains the face of California’s failures: high taxes, rising crime, homelessness, and mass exodus of working families.
AOC’s Radical Roadblock
By contrast, AOC is sticking to her far-left guns. She’s pushing Green New Deal socialism, open borders, and attacks on Trump voters as “extremists.” Her problem? Those positions might play well on TikTok, but they alienate older, working-class, and middle America voters who want stability—not socialism.
Even liberal analysts admit AOC is too radical to win nationally. Newsom, on the other hand, is trying to package himself as the “safe” Democrat—though his record tells a very different story.
The Rest of the Democrat Field
Polymarket also shows just how weak the rest of the Democrat bench has become. Pete Buttigieg sits at just 9 percent, Maryland Governor Wes Moore at 6 percent, and Kamala Harris—once the party’s “future”—has sunk to a humiliating 5 percent.
Other names like Cory Booker, Gretchen Whitmer, and Ruben Gallego are floating around, but none have shown the ability to energize voters or stand up to President Trump in 2028.
What This Means for America
Democrats won’t officially declare until after the 2026 midterms, but the battle lines are clear. Newsom wants to brand himself as a polished centrist, while AOC is betting big on socialism. Either way, it’s a lose-lose for middle America.
As President Trump continues restoring American strength, Democrats are caught between a failing California governor and a radical socialist congresswoman. For conservatives, it’s proof that the Left is fractured, leaderless, and out of touch with real American values.