Potential 2028 presidential candidates gather in L.A. for Democratic fundraiser
Leading Democratic governors, some of whom are considering 2028 presidential bids, gathered in Los Angeles on Thursday for a high-dollar fundraiser.
According to the invitation, tickets to attend the event go up to $100,000. Closed to the press, more than $1.5 million was expected to be raised for the Democratic Governors Association; this is one of the largest amounts the group has ever raised at a fundraiser in Los Angeles.
Governor Gavin Newsom introduced his Democratic colleagues in office. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Laura Kelly of Kansas, Katie Hobbs of Arizona, Wes Moore of Maryland, Josh Stein of North Carolina, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan.
Many participants, including Newson, Beshear and Whitmore, are believed to enter the presidential race in 2028. Walz was then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in her unsuccessful 2024 presidential bid.
Beshear moderated the conversation between state leaders at the Los Angeles-area home of liquor heiress Ellen Bronfman Hauptman and her husband, former Chicago Fire soccer club owner Andrew Hauptman. Attendees enjoyed cocktails and appetizers
around the pool before engaging in a conversation at home focused on how governors should focus on results rather than ideological disagreements and how that should be a model for federal elected officials.
About 45 donors attended the event, including “Lost” creator Damon Lindelof and Scott Budnick, executive producer of “The Hangover” film series. Among those supporting the event were director JJ Abrams and former Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.
