Democratic Governors Eye 2028 Presidential Bids at LA Fundraiser Democratic Governors Eye 2028 Presidential Bids at LA Fundraiser

Nine Democratic governors gathered in Los Angeles on Thursday for a high-dollar fundraiser expected to raise more than $1.5 million for the Democratic Governors Association.

The event took place at the Los Angeles-area home of liquor heiress Ellen Bronfman Hauptman and featured California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein.

Tickets to attend the fundraiser ranged from $45,000 to $100,000, according to an invitation, with the gathering described as one of the largest amounts the Democratic Governors Association has ever raised at a Los Angeles fundraiser.

Several of the governors in attendance are widely believed to be considering presidential bids in 2028, including Newsom, Beshear, and Whitmer, as noted in reports from the Los Angeles Times and other outlets covering the event.

Governor Newsom introduced his fellow governors during the closed-to-the-press event, which was attended by donors supporting the Democratic Governors Association’s efforts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and potential 2028 presidential campaigns.