With the 2028 presidential cycle more than two years away, no major-party figures have made formal announcements as of mid-August 2026, though exploratory activity and FEC filings by lesser-known candidates have begun. The 2026 midterms remain the near-term focus, with results likely to shape candidate positioning, fundraising, and party dynamics ahead of any wave of declarations expected after November. Democrats face an open field featuring governors and senators testing early-state waters under a revised primary calendar that elevates South Carolina in January 2028, while Republicans weigh options tied to the current administration. Upcoming midterm outcomes, DNC procedural decisions, and any high-profile exploratory committees could accelerate timelines and alter the order of entries before 2028.