On the Record: Tracking the 2028 Presidential Primary
From: Alidade
Re: On the Record: Tracking the 2028 Presidential Primary
On the Record: Tracking the 2028 Presidential Primary
Feb 23 - Mar 2, 20265 organizations639 posts tracked
A weekly analysis of social media posts from the personal accounts of possible 2028 Democratic presidential candidates generated by Alidade AI. Interested in a custom version of this newsletter focused on your industry or priorities? Reach out to team@alidade-ai.com.
Key Takeaways
- 1Democratic 2028 contenders are differentiating through distinct messaging lanes—Newsom on corruption, Buttigieg on coalition-building, Kelly on military credibility, Khanna on legislative action—while all converging on anti-Trump opposition.
- 2Newsom's multi-city book tour, early-state stops in South Carolina, and highest post volume signal the most aggressive national positioning of any potential 2028 contender this week.
- 3Congressional Democrats escalated from rhetorical opposition to concrete legislative action on Iran, with Khanna and Murphy forcing a War Powers Resolution vote they framed as the most consequential since the 2002 Iraq war authorization.
Detailed Coverage
1
Democratic Contenders Unite Against Trump Iran Strikes with Distinct Frames
Multiple OrganizationsPolicy
Why It Matters
2
Khanna and Murphy Lead Bipartisan Legislative Push Against Iran War
Ro Khanna & Chris MurphyPolicy
Why It Matters
3
Democrats Unite on Trump Corruption and Tariff Costs Message
Multiple OrganizationsPolicy, Marketing & Outreach
Why It Matters
4
Newsom's Book Tour Doubles as National Campaign Road Show
Gavin NewsomMarketing & Outreach
Why It Matters
5
Governors Build National Profiles Through State Achievement Messaging
Multiple OrganizationsMarketing & Outreach, Policy
Why It Matters
6
Buttigieg Pitches Cross-Partisan Coalition and Nevada Outreach
Pete ButtigiegMarketing & Outreach, Policy
Why It Matters
7
Khanna and Kelly Demand Full Epstein File Releases
Ro Khanna & Mark KellyPolicy
Why It Matters
Week at a Glance
| Organization | Activity | Key Topics | This Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Buttigieg | medium | Iran strikes oppositionCross-partisan coalitionNevada outreach | Pitched a cross-ideological coalition while conducting early-state outreach in Nevada with union leaders. |
| Andy Beshear | low | State governance | Maintained a modest posting cadence with no major appearances in this week's key narratives. |
| Gavin Newsom | high | Book tourIran strikesTrump corruption | Generated the highest post volume of any 2028 contender via a multi-city book tour doubling as a national campaign road show. |
| Gretchen Whitmer | low | State achievementsEducation | Promoted her final-year agenda and record PreK enrollment gains through Substack. |
| JB Pritzker | medium | Trump corruptionTariff costsResilience messaging | Claimed Trump's family made $4 billion off the presidency and demanded $8.7 billion in tariff repayment for Illinois. |
| Kamala Harris | low | General engagement | Posted minimally with no notable appearances in this week's major narratives. |
| Rahm Emanuel | low | No posts were analyzed this period. | |
| Wes Moore | medium | Tariff reimbursementState achievementsFlood relief | Sent a joint letter demanding reimbursement of tariff revenues, citing $1,744 per household in costs. |
| Mark Kelly | medium | Iran strikesEpstein filesMilitary credentials | Leveraged military background to oppose Iran strikes and pressed DOJ on missing Trump-related Epstein records. |
| Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez | low | General engagement | Posted minimally with no notable appearances in this week's key narratives. |
| Ro Khanna | high | War Powers ResolutionEpstein filesCongressional opposition | Led a bipartisan War Powers Resolution with Rep. Massie and intensified pressure on DOJ over Epstein file releases. |
| Chris Murphy | high | War Powers ActIran strikesPrediction market ban | Delivered the sharpest legal challenge to Trump's Iran strikes and proposed banning war-related prediction markets. |
| Josh Shapiro | medium | Tariff impactsState achievementsEducation | Highlighted Pennsylvania tariff costs and touted 224 million free student breakfasts delivered. |
| Cory Booker | high | Trump corruptionIran strikesAffordability | Issued a nuanced Iran statement balancing national security with constitutional concerns while hammering Trump on corruption. |
Tracking 5 organizations • Generated by Alidade AIMar 2, 2026 at 1:09 PM
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