Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pete Buttigieg are enjoying an early lead in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire.
These figures come from the latest Granite State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.
As the first state in the nation to conduct presidential primary elections, how things turn out in New Hampshire can often set the tone going into the rest of the election cycle, indicating up front which candidates have a real chance of taking their party’s nomination.
Compared to earlier this year, the lead enjoyed by Ocasio-Cortez has increased by roughly 30 percent, bringing her into an approximate tie with former frontrunner Buttigieg.
Support for Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and former Vice President Kamala Harris has fallen to about half that of earlier this year.
While those supporting Ocasio-Cortez primarily cited her policies and ideology as the reason for their selection, Buttigieg supporters pointed mostly toward his qualifications.
13 percent of respondents noted age is the main reason why they have currently decided to support Ocasio-Cortez.
Those who are interested in backing Newsom primarily cited his strength as the reason for their support, as well as his perceived ability to win in a general election followed by his past experience.
More than half of Harris supporters identified either her understanding and empathy or authenticity and honesty as the reason why they plan to vote for her in the primaries.
Although 2028 is still quite a ways away, early polling can provide some insight into where voters stand based on the current political climate and give a sense of what Americans might expect in the upcoming presidential election cycle.
