During a SiriusXM town hall, Rep. Jasmine Crockett revealed that Democratic donors are already coalescing around the “safest white boy” as their preferred candidate for the 2028 presidential race.
At a Glance
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett disclosed that major Democratic donors are seeking a “safe white boy” candidate for 2028
- Crockett cited party fears about nominating women after previous electoral losses with female candidates
- Democratic donors are reportedly already rallying behind a specific male candidate who is neither Black nor female
- Potential “safe” candidates mentioned include Sen. Mark Kelly, Gov. Andy Beshear, and Gov. JB Pritzker
- The comments were made during a SiriusXM Urban View town hall with DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta
Democrats Looking to “Safest White Boy” for 2028
Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett made candid remarks about the Democratic Party’s early positioning for the 2028 presidential election during a SiriusXM Urban View town hall. Speaking alongside DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta, Crockett revealed that party donors are already gravitating toward what she termed the “safest white boy” candidate. Her comments offer a rare glimpse into the private discussions happening within Democratic power circles nearly four years before the next presidential cycle begins in earnest.
According to Crockett, the push for a white male candidate stems from concerns about electability following losses with female candidates. This sentiment reflects an ongoing tension within the Democratic Party between its stated values of diversity and inclusion and its practical considerations about winning elections in a politically divided country. The town hall, hosted by Clay Cane and Reecie Colbert, created a space for honest discussion about how race and gender continue to influence candidate selection.
Fear of Losing with Female Candidates
Crockett specifically addressed the reluctance among some Democrats to nominate another woman for president. She pointed to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 defeat and other electoral disappointments as creating hesitation within the party. The representative didn’t hold back when describing the sentiment she’s observed among Democratic insiders regarding future electoral prospects.
During the conversation, town hall host Clay Cane acknowledged the calls his program has received echoing similar sentiments, saying: “A white man’s got to do it. We’re getting those callers.” Crockett responded with characteristic frankness, stating: “So far. And I think that that’s a natural fear because we just want to win. So there’s a lot of people that are like, you know what? Like, let’s go find the safest white boy we can find. I mean, I’m just saying.”
Potential Candidates Already Emerging
While Crockett didn’t explicitly name the candidate who has already garnered significant donor support, she indicated that several white male Democrats are being discussed as potential standard-bearers for 2028. Names mentioned in her conversation included Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky, and Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois. These Democrats have all demonstrated an ability to win in challenging political environments, which appears to be a key criterion for the donor class.
Crockett also expressed confidence that former President Donald Trump would not seek a third term in 2028, suggesting that the political landscape might be significantly different by then. This assessment adds context to the strategic calculations already taking place within Democratic circles about positioning for the post-Biden era, regardless of the outcome in 2024.
Warning Against Donor Influence
Beyond revealing these private discussions, Crockett’s comments contained an implicit warning about allowing wealthy donors to exert too much influence over the candidate selection process. She emphasized the importance of Democratic voters maintaining their power in the nomination process rather than having choices dictated by the donor class. This tension between grassroots preferences and donor priorities has been a recurring theme in Democratic politics, particularly following Bernie Sanders’ campaigns in 2016 and 2020.
The full conversation featuring Crockett’s remarks is scheduled to air on May 15th, potentially bringing these internal party discussions to a wider audience. Her willingness to speak openly about these sensitive topics offers a rare window into the calculations already underway as Democrats look toward rebuilding after the current election cycle, revealing the complex interplay between identity politics and electoral strategy that continues to shape American political discourse.
