After watching the victory speeches of governors-elect Democrats Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey, I came to an immediate conclusion: If I were the Republican nominee for president in 2028, I would not want to run against either woman.  

Both speeches were impressive, calm, pragmatic and devoid of the hate-filled rhetoric that has spewed from so many other Democratic leaders today. Both women were clearly trying to reach across the aisle to speak to Republicans and the unconverted — and both did, with some success.

For months, many Republicans have seemed to project wishful thinking by stating that far-left Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) are the new “face” of the Democratic Party, and that one might emerge as the next presidential nominee. Serious Democratic operatives I have spoken with have said the exact opposite: Neither woman will emerge as the nominee, and sooner or later, the party will move toward a more “commonsense” and “pragmatic” candidate. 

I do believe that move is beginning. But in the meantime, AOC and Crockett, along with now New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, should not be underestimated.   

All are far-left populists who are reaching increasingly larger audiences. Their message is simple and has worked since the dawn of politics: “free is for me” and the “wealthy are responsible for all of your problems.” Beyond that, all three greatly appeal to a growing segment of younger voters who are turning away from “capitalism” and toward varying degrees of “socialism.” 

If the Democratic powerbrokers behind the scenes are seriously looking for a more reasoned, commonsense, politically attractive “center-left” voice to represent their party in the presidential election three years from now, they saw it in action behind podiums in New Jersey and Virginia this past election night.  

And as much as partisan Republicans might want to denounce or belittle Spanberger and Sherill, both bring substantial political positives to the table. Both served our nation with distinction (Sherrill in the Navy, Spanberger at the CIA); both have served in Congress; both are highly educated; both are working moms; and both are speaking beyond their respective bases.  

Like it or not, admit it or not, the voices of Sherrill and Spanberger do resonate. And they are voices built to travel across the nation, should it eventually come to that. 

Many people in and out of the Republican Party — myself included — believe that Vice President Vance is an impressive person and will make an exceptional presidential candidate. That acknowledged, I would caution Vance and Republicans that many self-styled experts have been misreading the political signs of late. 

If the Democratic Party does figure out a way to harness the populist energy being created by Mamdani, AOC and Crockett, spot-welding it to a pragmatic candidate such as Sherrill or Spanberger, then I would say the Republicans would be looking at a very tough race come 2028. 

Did we just see the eventual Democratic nominee in one of the two women? Time will tell. And while some might declare both women as too inexperienced to run for president, I would counter that they bring much more to the table than the relatively unknown and inexperienced Barack Obama back in 2008. 

No matter what, 2028 just got a lot more interesting. 

Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.