**As of early October 2026, no major-party figures have formally declared 2028 presidential campaigns, though minor and fringe candidates such as Royce White (announced August 2026 and filed with the FEC in September) and Dan Greaney have done so.** Potential contenders including Vice President JD Vance, former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pete Buttigieg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul are actively positioning through travel, polling visibility, and public statements while largely deferring final decisions until after the November 2026 midterms. Newsom stated in September he would not run if Harris enters; Cruz has openly discussed presidential ambitions; and figures like John Kennedy and Chris Christie have signaled openness. Primary calendars for both parties have been set, with Democrats beginning in South Carolina in January 2028, but the serious field is expected to take shape in 2027 following historical patterns of announcements roughly 12–18 months before primaries. Midterm results and early 2027 developments could accelerate or delay entries before the end of 2026.