The rising tide of political violence in the United States has thrust potential candidates for the 2028 presidential election into the spotlight, as many have encountered such violence personally or through their roles as public officials.
At least six prominent figures in the political arena are emerging as possible contenders for the 2028 race after experiencing political violence, having lost friends to such acts, or having managed civil unrest in their respective states.
This has provided the electorate with a window into how these leaders navigate crises, particularly in terms of combating misinformation prevalent on social media, and their ability to maintain composure amidst political turbulence.
The shocking assassination of Melissa Hortman, the Democratic leader of the Minnesota state House, alongside her husband, serves as the latest reminder of the escalating violence that is capturing national attention.
In addition, a Democratic state legislator and his wife were also shot, prompting widespread concern and recovery efforts.
This tragedy has propelled Governor Tim Walz, the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee and a potential candidate for the 2028 presidency, into national prominence as he leads investigations and a community’s manhunt while grappling with his own grief at the loss of a close friend.
As this crisis unfolded, California Governor Gavin Newsom found himself embroiled in a confrontation with the White House over federal law enforcement’s handling of protests related to immigration arrests in his state.
Just two months earlier, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro faced an unprecedented attack when his residence was firebombed in retaliation for his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Furthermore, Shapiro has dealt with the aftermath of political violence in his state, having managed the fallout from an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Butler last July, where a gunman also killed another individual at the rally.
This wave of violence has started to influence ambitious politicians, including JD Vance, who was a close associate of Trump and potentially eyeing the 2028 GOP presidential nomination.
The violence and ensuing political fallout impacted Vance, who had met with Trump shortly before the attack to consider joining him on the ticket.
Trump subsequently announced Vance as his pick shortly thereafter, setting the stage for Vance’s rise amidst the MAGA movement.
Additionally, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, another prominent name considered for the 2028 race, had previously been the target of a kidnapping plot in 2020, further highlighting the pervasive threat of political violence.
Moreover, Democrats have shared the burden of loss following the violence.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., who ran for president in 2020 and is a potential candidate for the next election, revealed that she had dined with Hortman just hours before her tragic death, marking a personal connection to this violence.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also had a recent interaction with Hortman, having spoken with her just before the horrific events unfolded.
He later spoke to local media about lists recovered from the belongings of the man charged in the murders, emphasizing the serious nature of these threats against public officials.
Political analysts attribute the upsurge in attacks on government officials to a deeply divided and increasingly chaotic political climate exacerbated by rampant misinformation and partisan hostilities.
In such times, leaders are called to demonstrate their ability to provide healing and move beyond divisive rhetoric, even extending olive branches across party lines.
Stephanie Grisham, a former Trump press secretary who resigned post-January 6 violence, emphasized that candidates in the future must acknowledge the urgency of addressing political violence in their messaging.
She praised Walz for delivering an appropriate response and called for bipartisan condemnation of such acts, encouraging leaders to unite against violence regardless of their political differences.
Democratic strategist Pete Giangreco highlighted the need for constructive dialogue and civil protest, referring to the recent “No Kings” demonstrations as a positive example for political activism.
He warned that excessive partisanship in messaging about political violence could hinder both national healing and electoral prospects for Democrats in the upcoming 2028 race.
For Newsom, the focus remains on encouraging peaceful protests while simultaneously combating false narratives spread from the national stage.
His major address captured the growing sentiment of a collective struggle for democracy against rising threats: “This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next.”
The discourse surrounding these issues reached a fever pitch as Trump’s officials confidently stated their readiness for confrontational politics, reinforcing a deeply polarized environment.
Pat Dennis, president of American Bridge 21st Century, pointed to the dangerous precedent set by Trump’s pardons of those involved in the January 6th Capitol attack, noting how such actions could embolden groups with a sense of immunity against legal consequences.
Trump echoed this sentiment by floating the idea of pardoning individuals involved in the plot against Whitmer, leaving many in shock at his casual dismissal of violence’s seriousness.
Whitmer condemned such commentary, reiterating the gravity of the threats she has faced and the need for leaders to unequivocally denounce violence.
Amidst these ongoing tensions, former Senator Doug Jones remarked that attacks against individuals, whether politicians or ordinary citizens, should be viewed as assaults on public service itself.
He also drew parallels between today’s climate and the civil rights era, emphasizing the need for responsible discourse in a time when political violence appears to be on the rise again.
In recent years, threats against members of Congress have surged, prompting Capitol Police to investigate thousands of concerning statements and threats.
The alarming statistics reflect a broader trend, as the 2021 Capitol attack led to a record number of threats investigated compared to previous years.
On Monday, it came to light that a 25-year-old man was arraigned for making violent threats against Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer, further underscoring the urgency to address political violence.
Shapiro, reflecting on the recent events, called for a collective moral accountability among leaders across the nation, stating, “This is unacceptable — we all have a responsibility to stand up and work to defeat the political violence that is tearing through our country. America is better than this.”
Political strategist Steve Schale cautioned that the rise in threats against public officials may deter potential candidates from entering public service, which could weaken the democratic process.
He noted that President Joe Biden’s election success was partially a response to the chaos of the preceding years, suggesting a similar dynamic could influence candidates in the upcoming election cycle.
Candidates who can effectively articulate the collective fears present in society and promote a message of unity may find themselves resonating with more voters.
The rhetoric following last year’s assassination attempts on Trump has emboldened some Republicans to push for more aggressive responses, marking an alarming trend in political discourse.
Vance recounted feeling a defensive instinct following violent threats, recalling his response of arming himself while reflecting on the tension within the political landscape.
After the recent events in Minnesota, Vance reached out to Walz to express his condolences, indicating a moment of shared humanity amidst the political divide.
Trump condemned the Minnesota slayings on his social media platform, but his failure to communicate with Governor Walz drew criticism for perpetuating division.
Instead, Trump took the opportunity to insult Walz, showcasing the ongoing hostilities that characterize the current political environment.
In a time when tragedy calls for unity, Walz expressed appreciation for support received from leaders of differing political views, emphasizing humanity over partisanship.
image source from：nbcnews
