Democrats gather in Denver after midterm wins, with AI push and 2028 strategy in focus

Midterm wins set the 2028 agenda

Democrats gathered in Denver on Thursday, 12 November, for the What's Next conference, a two-day event hosted by Majority Democrats that aims to celebrate the midterm results and map a path to the 2028 presidential race. Al Jazeera reports the group is chaired by Massachusetts Representative Jake Auchincloss and presents itself as a moderate alternative to what it calls an old establishment and an activist left. Announced attendees include Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, all seen as possible contenders for the nomination. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expected to become speaker, is scheduled to speak on Friday, 13 November, about the 120th Congress, which begins next year.

AI becomes a campaign issue

Tomorrow Together is launching a research effort on how Democrats should talk to voters about artificial intelligence, starting with $1.1 million. The group pushed for new limits on AI and data centers during the midterms and spent $6.5 million backing candidates who favored tougher rules. Maddie Kriger, the group's chief program officer, said getting the message right would matter for votes.

“We expect getting this right is going to be critical to winning people's votes.”

Kriger also said more and worse AI incidents in the coming year were a real possibility, and that the group wants to be ready to help people and take action if they occur. David Shor, a prominent party data analyst, told the conference audience that voters of both parties back regulation, which he sees as the makings of a new political issue. Karthik Ganapathy, a co-founder of the group, said he would rather Democrats hold this position than Republicans. Rob Flaherty, the other co-founder, said voters were unsure whom to trust at the start of the cycle but now give Democrats the lead because of Trump's stance.

“Regulating technology is where the voters are.”

Some Republicans have moved away from Trump's pro-industry line, most visibly Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a figure many expect to run for president again.

Midterm candidate spending6.5

Initial research effort1.1

Midterm candidate spending

6.5 $ million

Initial research effort

1.1 $ million

Data from the article text

Unity and affordability questions

A POLITICO Poll conducted last weekend by PF Global found that half of progressives and moderates now describe the party as 'somewhat' or 'much more' unified since the election. According to the poll, everyone agrees that bringing down the cost of living should be the first task for the Democratic-led Congress. In a Guardian column, Dustin Guastella argued that the midterm gains are encouraging but still weak among working-class voters. Only 47% of voters without a college degree backed Democrats, compared with 51% for Republicans, while about 60% of those earning more than $300,000 voted blue. Guastella said 'affordability' messaging is no substitute for an economic program, and noted that 2024 was also an affordability election that Democrats lost.

Reconciliation fights and the online stage

Some incoming majority lawmakers want to send Trump a sweeping budget reconciliation bill of their own, even though it has no chance of becoming law, according to POLITICO. The aim is a high-profile clash ahead of 2028 that puts the Democratic platform in the spotlight. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who plans to chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, framed the case this way.

“It's important that we show the American people what we stand for”

Axios counts Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed at 7.6 million Instagram followers, up from 1.6 million as of 13 September, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has 466,000. Several incoming senators have publicly said they will not back Schumer as leader. Petitions to replace him passed 100,000 signatures within a day of launch, according to Axios.