Following President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race and Donald Trump's subsequent victory, leading Democratic governors have been reluctant to discuss potential age restrictions for their party's 2028 presidential nominee. In interviews with the New York Times, figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the importance of a candidate's vitality and experience rather than their chronological age.
Newsom, who previously defended Biden's age, reiterated his stance, suggesting that imposing an age limit would be "absurd" and that a candidate's mental state is more relevant than their date of birth. Hochul, meanwhile, highlighted her own age of 65 as evidence against age-based limitations. Murphy echoed this sentiment, focusing on a candidate's engagement and the strength of the Democratic bench.
The image caption accompanying a photo of the three governors notes their participation in the New York Times discussion about age limits for the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee.
While some Democratic governors avoided direct criticism of Biden, other party members, such as Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), expressed concerns about Biden's ability to effectively communicate the party's message during a challenging election cycle. Sherrill expressed a preference for a Gen X candidate in 2028.
This image depicts President Biden during a turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House in November 2024, offering a visual representation of the president in his final months in office.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper noted the irony of age concerns given the election of 78-year-old Donald Trump, who became the oldest elected president, surpassing Biden's previous record. Public anxieties about Biden's age were a recurring theme leading up to his withdrawal from the race.
Newsom, Grisham, and Cooper are all seen as potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidential election, adding another layer of complexity to the age discussion within the party.
