Harris, Buttigieg, other Dem hopefuls court key Black leaders at Sharpton convention

By Fox News · Fox News

It's only 2026, but the first major cattle call of potential Democratic presidential contenders in the 2028 White House race is underway. Eight Democrats who may launch presidential campaigns are speaking in New York City at the National Action Network’s 35th Anniversary Convention. The gathering, hosted by the civil rights organization's founder, the Rev. Al Sharpton , gives White House hopefuls an opportunity to speak directly to an influential group of Black leaders and activists who are key players in the Democratic Party's base. Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Wes Moore of Maryland, along with Rep. Ro Khanna of California, spoke over the past two days, while Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona are scheduled to appear Saturday. KAMALA HARRIS' TRAVELS AND COMMENTS CLEARLY POINT TO 2028 On Friday, two veterans of former President Joe Biden's administration are in the spotlight: former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the convention’s biggest draw, former Vice President Kamala Harris . The preseason moves in the next race for the Democratic presidential nomination have been underway for a year, with the potential contenders making stops in the early voting nominating states, such as New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada and Iowa, as well as in other key electoral battlegrounds. The showdown for the 2028 Democratic nomination is expected to draw a crowded and competitive field. "We have a pretty good bench. In fact, you’ve invited so many of them to come right here, they’ve been on this stage, or they’re going to be," Pritzker told Sharpton on Thursday. HARRIS, NEWSOM, STIR 2028 SPECULATION AT MAJOR DEMOCRATIC PARTY MEETING Sharpton said earlier this week that when it comes to the potential contenders, he wants to "know what their vision is now, and what they’re doing now. So I’ve invited all of the people that could run." Black voters have long played a very influential role in Democratic Party pr…