Four potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates test their messages in Las Vegas at IndyFest

What happened at IndyFest

Four Democrats who are considering 2028 presidential runs appeared in Las Vegas on Thursday at The Nevada Independent's annual IndyFest conference, the outlet reported. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel each sat for live interviews. Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston and D.C. Correspondent Mini Racker moderated. All four said they were thinking about running, but none made an announcement.

Why Nevada matters in 2028

According to The Nevada Independent, Nevada will be the second state to hold a 2028 Democratic presidential primary. That gives the swing state a key role in picking both the party's nominee and the next president. Khanna has visited Nevada more than any other potential candidate, the outlet reported. Readers can follow related coverage in our elections section.

The outlet noted that if all four run, they will almost certainly make more stops in the state. Beshear said Nevada shares many issues with other states and added, "I also like blackjack." Voters can also review how mail and in-person voting works in Nevada.

How each candidate made his case

Ro Khanna

Khanna said he is weighing a bid because he believes he understands the future economy, including AI and technology. He called himself a New Deal Democrat and said he wants to tax billionaires to pay for free childcare, free college and Medicare for All. He also criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom for opposing a ballot measure that would tax billionaires' net worth. Khanna said Newsom "should stop shilling for his billionaire donors."

Mark Kelly

Kelly said his priority is the midterm elections and that he is still deciding whether to run. "I would have to be convinced I'm the right option for the country at that time," he said, according to The Nevada Independent.

Andy Beshear

Beshear argued that a Democratic governor should be the party's nominee. He chairs the Democratic Governors Association, and he defended the group's spending choices. Critics had said its $1 million pledge to Texas gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa was too small. Beshear said the group has "a size 10 budget and a size 16 map."

The Nevada Independent reported that the DGA came late to Nevada's governor's race. It is now investing significantly through an affiliated PAC.

Rahm Emanuel

Emanuel said he does not mind polling near zero. He argued that two years out, being the frontrunner is the last place he would want to be. He said he would focus on fighting corruption as president, including banning politicians from trading on the stock market or in prediction markets. He also said he would support whoever becomes the party's pick.

Where they split on Gaza, AI and health care

Gaza

Khanna cited a United Nations commission's finding that Israel has committed genocide, but he said reasonable people could disagree. Beshear declined to use that word but said Israel was responsible for unnecessary suffering in Gaza. Kelly called Israel's campaign against Hamas "reckless" and described it as "a colossal failure in leadership." Israel did not come up in the interview with Emanuel.

Artificial intelligence

The candidates said strong federal regulation of AI is necessary. Beshear said a patchwork of state laws will not work in the long term. He also discussed his executive order requiring data centers to pay for their own power and pay more taxes. Khanna called for banning self-improving AI and creating an independent agency to regulate it, while Emanuel proposed safeguards including a kill switch and a surcharge to fund education.

Health care

Khanna said his plan for economic renewal requires Medicare for All. Beshear raised concerns about potential mass layoffs and said he would focus instead on negotiating lower drug prices through Medicaid and Medicare. Kelly did not take a direct stance on Medicare for All. He said he supports "fixing the system and getting more people covered," including expanding public options.

What to watch next

• Kelly said, "My hope is we have a reckoning here next Tuesday at the ballot box on Israel."
• All four men said they are still weighing 2028 presidential bids and made no announcements.
• Nevada is set to host the second 2028 Democratic presidential primary.
• The DGA is investing in Nevada's governor's race through an affiliated PAC, The Nevada Independent reported.