Eight potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates visited Nevada in the two weeks before the midterms

What happened

Eight potential Democratic presidential candidates visited Nevada in the two weeks before the midterms, The Nevada Independent reported. The outlet said these visits are part of an early shadow primary. Nevada is the second nominating state for Democrats, which makes it an early test for anyone weighing a 2028 run.

Several stops took place in the Las Vegas valley. They included a rally in North Las Vegas, a festival at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Culinary Union headquarters and the UNLV campus. Some visitors also campaigned alongside Nevada Democrats on the midterm ballot.

Ocasio-Cortez rallies in North Las Vegas

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York drew roughly 200 people to the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, according to The Nevada Independent. She campaigned there with Rep. Steven Horsford. Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Democratic candidate for governor, made a surprise appearance. Several voters told the outlet they learned about the event on TikTok.

Ocasio-Cortez praised Horsford's work to expand Nevada's voter base. She called that work a model for the country. "As elections get tighter and tighter, increasingly, what shifts the outcomes are non-voters choosing to vote," she told The Nevada Independent.

Four hopefuls take questions at IndyFest

Four potential candidates appeared at IndyFest at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. There they took questions from Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston.

Andy Beshear

The Kentucky governor described goals that include free pre-K for all 4-year-olds and a federal housing investment he said he will detail later. He also called for a constitutional amendment that would outlaw partisan gerrymandering and impose term limits. He said the Democratic Governors Association, which he leads, is turning out Latino voters in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

Ro Khanna

The California congressman has visited Nevada far more than any other possible candidate, the outlet reported. His trips have included stops in Elko and Ely. "It's no secret that I'm exploring a presidential run," he said the next day in Reno.

Mark Kelly

The Arizona senator said he is not sure about a presidential bid. He called impeaching President Donald Trump again "a distraction." According to The Nevada Independent, his leadership PAC has given to all four of Nevada's congressional candidates.

Rahm Emanuel

The former Chicago mayor was asked whether former Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez Thompson could flip Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. He answered yes but called it a tough district. The outlet reported that he helped get her added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue program.

Harris, Whitmer and Gallego also visit

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who leads early primary polls, made a visit to Culinary Union headquarters. The Nevada Independent noted that Nevada has the fifth-highest share of female voters in the nation. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made her first Nevada trip of the year. She spoke at a UNLV rally for an abortion rights ballot measure.

Three days after Ocasio-Cortez left Las Vegas, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego came through the state and was hosted by Horsford. The outlet said his visit was part of an effort to turn out working-class Latino voters.

Why the Culinary Union matters to visitors

The Nevada Independent reported that every Democrat who comes to town wants to talk with Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of Culinary Workers Union Local 226. "If you can win in Nevada, you can win in this country," he told the outlet.

What to watch next

• Whitmer said at UNLV that she will discuss her decision in "a few weeks."
• Beshear said he will detail his federal housing investment plan at a later point.
• The midterm result in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District, where Emanuel has backed Benitez Thompson.
• Whether Khanna, who says he is exploring a run, formally enters the race.