10 potential leaders from both the Democrat and Republican parties are predicted to emerge in 2025.
Established politicians and newcomers will both play crucial roles in shaping party politics.
In 2025 and beyond, several prominent political figures from both sides of the aisle are expected to become key voices in their respective parties, having increased their visibility in 2024.
In 2024, Democrats faced a significant setback when President Biden stepped down from the political race and was succeeded by VP Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who lost both the Electoral College and popular vote in November. As a result, several Democrats are expected to take on leadership roles in the midterms.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro
Shapiro was widely considered to be the strongest vice presidential candidate to join the Harris ticket this summer, but Harris received criticism for her decision to select Walz instead. Shapiro, viewed as a moderate by some, has been governor of the state since January 2023 and will face a re-election test in 2026 before any potential 2028 run.
Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes make it a crucial state in presidential elections, making Shapiro's governorship of that state an attractive attribute for any presidential candidate.
""If the 2026 midterm elections are not favorable to the Republicans, Mike Manzo of Triad Strategies believes that Shapiro, who is running for governor in Pennsylvania, has a strong chance of winning and becoming the governor of Iowa in January 2027," ABC 27 reported last month."
House Rep. Pat Ryan
Despite being considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents in New York's 18th Congressional District, Ryan managed to defeat his Republican challenger by 14 points in a swing district during the November election.
Since the election, Ryan has been one of the most vocal Democrats regarding the reasons for his party's defeat in November.
"Ryan wrote on X that using the words "moderate" or "progressive" completely misses the point. It's not about ideology; it's about who fights for the people and who further empowers and enables the elites."
"I revealed the identity of those responsible for exploiting people and traced it back to local sources. It is the wealthy individuals and large corporations who are profiting immensely while the rest of us face hardships."
Ryan stated, "To effectively address seemingly disparate policies, we must establish a unifying principle and make it clear who is responsible. For me, it is freedom and patriotism, and the blame lies with the same elites in both parties who have been in power for too long."
Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks
Larry Hogan, a popular Republican, was defeated by 11 points in the Maryland Senate race by Alsobrooks, who was previously the chief executive of Prince George's County in the suburbs of the nation's capital. This made Alsobrooks the first Black candidate to win a Maryland Senate race.
Despite underperforming Vice President Harris among suburban and moderate voters, majorities in the heavily blue state backed Alsobrooks over Hogan.
"Alsobrooks stated after her November victory that although they may face challenges together, they will work towards creating a brighter future for their children. She also assured those Marylanders who did not vote for her that she will represent their voices as their senator."
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore
Wes Moore, Maryland's newly elected first Black governor in 2022, is also viewed as a rising voice in the Democratic Party.
A Rhodes scholar and Johns Hopkins University graduate, Moore served as an Army captain before becoming an investment banker. He identifies as a "social moderate and strong fiscal conservative."
This year, the national spotlight was thrust upon Moore's leadership due to a tragic accident that occurred when a container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore harbor, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers.
Moore stated in a post after the disaster, "We are resilient Marylanders. We are strong Baltimoreans. Despite adversity, we remain steadfast. In the face of tragedy, we unite and emerge stronger. This has always been our way, and it will continue to be so."
California Gov. Gavin Newsom
As a seasoned politician, Newsom is predicted to be a leading contender for the Democrat presidential nomination in 2028, having proven his worth as a top surrogate for Biden and Harris during the previous election cycle.
Once his current term ends in January 2027, Newsom, who has been California governor since 2019, will be term-limited.
The Republican Party will begin the new year with control of the White House and Congress, with Trump leading the party for four years. Meanwhile, other Republicans will emerge as leaders as the focus shifts to determining which voices will shape the party in the years to come, both during and after Trump's term.
Vice President-elect JD Vance
Trump's vice president, Vance, will likely be the leading candidate for president in 2028 and is predicted to be a prominent voice in the Republican Party in the coming years.
"Vance is the one to defeat, according to longtime Republican consultant Dave Carney, who stated this to Planet Chronicle Digital last month. Carney, a seasoned consultant with a history of working on Republican presidential campaigns over the past four decades, expressed his confidence in Vance's ability to succeed."
According to David Kochel, a longtime GOP strategist with extensive presidential campaign experience, Vance is currently leading the race due to the magnitude of his recent victory and the perceived transfer of power from Donald Trump.
House Rep. Byron Donalds
Since 2019, Donalds has represented Florida's 19th Congressional District and was a top surrogate for Trump during the 2024 campaign. Many believed he was a potential vice presidential candidate.
The Florida congressman has been a vocal supporter of Trump's agenda and has also been a prominent voice defending the president-elect against media attacks, frequently appearing on liberal networks in hostile environments.
In the 118th Congress, Donald served on the Financial Services Committee and the Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability, and was a member of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, Freedom Caucus, and Republican Study Committee.
Senator-elect Bernie Moreno
In November, Bernie Moreno, a Cleveland area businessman, ended the 17-year tenure of Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, in a state that Trump won by 11 points.
As a loyal ally of Trump, Moreno has been one of the first freshman senators to publicly support and defend Trump's Cabinet picks. He is expected to be one of Trump's top representatives in Congress.
Moreno, who supports term limits, has vowed to serve only two six-year terms in the Senate.
Representative-elect Abraham Hamadeh
In November, Hamadeh was elected to represent Arizona's 8th Congressional District after previously serving as a prosecutor and Army intelligence officer.
The 33-year-old, who is the son of Syrian immigrants, has been a staunch supporter of Trump and his "Make America Great Again Agenda." He recently declared on Planet Chronicle Digital that he and other Republicans will make history by quickly implementing something groundbreaking in the first 100 days.
In the 119th Congress, Hamadeh will serve on both the Veterans Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee.
"Hamadeh stated that he is honored to serve on the Veterans Affairs and Armed Services Committees, which he sought out intentionally to fight for our veterans and military. He emphasized that putting America first begins with defending our homeland and honoring our veterans and their families."
"I pledged to prioritize veterans' issues during my campaign, and now I am proud to fulfill that promise. This is a "promises made, promises kept" moment as I lead the way to honor our military leaders, support those who have served our nation, and ensure our veterans receive the care and respect they deserve. It is not just my duty to serve those who served us, but a privilege."
Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy
In 2023, Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur with a net worth of approximately $1 billion, entered the political arena by announcing his candidacy for president in the 2024 election. However, he withdrew from the race in January 2024 and later became a prominent supporter of Trump's campaign.
The Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to reduce federal spending, will be co-led by Ramaswamy, Space X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and will begin its work in January.
A 39-year-old man from southwest Ohio has been mentioned as a potential candidate to replace Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Ramaswamy has not ruled out the possibility and has stated that he is open to considering it. Planet Chronicle Digital and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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