As of September 2026, no major party figures have formally declared 2028 presidential campaigns, consistent with the typical timeline of announcements ramping up after the November 2026 midterms and accelerating through 2027. The open field stems from term limits barring a third Trump term, leaving Republicans such as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former Governor Ron DeSantis as prominent potential contenders, while Democrats including Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg, and Josh Shapiro lead early polling and positioning. Traders monitor exploratory steps, early-state travel, fundraising, and public comments as signals of intent, with prediction markets reflecting name recognition and media speculation rather than confirmed bids. Scheduled midterm outcomes and any post-election leadership shifts could accelerate or delay early announcements.