In the wake of the 2026 midterm elections, a group of prominent Democrats is convening in Denver for a three‑day summit titled “What’s Next.” The gathering, scheduled for Nov. 12‑14, is being organized by Majority Democrats, a new coalition formed last year to help the party win in more places.
Who’s attending
The announced lineup features a mix of former officials and current office‑holders who are widely seen as possible contenders for the 2028 presidential nomination. Among them are former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, Senators Ruben Gallego (Arizona), Chris Murphy (Connecticut), Raphael Warnock (Georgia) and Elissa Slotkin (Michigan). Governors Mikie Sherrill (New Jersey) and Abigail Spanberger (Virginia) will also speak, along with several other members of Congress.
Purpose of the summit
Organizers describe the event as a “vision‑setting” forum rather than a policy conference or a tactical workshop. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (Massachusetts) said the timing is intentional: the summit falls between the midterms and the next presidential campaign, offering a unique moment to debate the Democratic Party’s direction. Participants are expected to share lessons learned from the recent elections, discuss how to improve the party’s messaging, and outline strategies for future races.
Strategic backdrop
Democrats entered the midterms hoping to regain control of the Senate and the House. While the results are still being tallied, the party is already looking ahead to the 2028 presidential contest. Denver was chosen in part because the city is under consideration as a possible host for the 2028 Democratic National Convention, adding a symbolic local flavor to the national discussion.
Other post‑midterm events
Majority Democrats will not be the only group hosting a post‑midterm gathering. Two days after the election, the progressive media outlet Crooked Media will hold its own “Crooked Con” conference in Washington, D.C., featuring leading strategists and commentators. The parallel events underscore the intense internal debate within the party about its future path.
What this means for voters
While the summit is primarily a forum for party insiders, its outcomes could shape the policy priorities and candidate messaging that voters will encounter in the coming years. Observers note that the inclusion of both established figures like Emanuel and rising stars such as Gallego suggests a broad coalition seeking to balance experience with fresh perspectives.
As the Democratic Party works to define its post‑midterm agenda, the “What’s Next” summit will likely serve as a bellwether for the ideas and personalities that will dominate the 2028 presidential race.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
