The contest for the Democratic Partys 2028 presidential nomination is already breaking into public view, with allies of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg trading shots online as they maneuver for position among Black voters in the South.
According to Fox News, the latest skirmish began when Buttigiegs representative Aida Ross posted a weekend photo on X showing the former Transportation secretary with members of the Orangeburg branch of the NAACP during a visit to South Carolina.
"Pete returned to Orangeburg, SC! Great night with the Orangeburg Branch of the NAACP," Ross wrote, touting Buttigiegs outreach in the state that Democrats have elevated as their first presidential nominating contest.
Newsom communications director Izzy Gardon quickly undercut the moment, replying, "First time in SC in 3 years? Nice!" in a pointed jab that highlighted Buttigiegs long absence from the Palmetto State.
The exchange instantly drew attention, underscoring how two of the partys most visible hopefuls are already sparring over who can claim credibility with Black voters, a bloc Democrats routinely court but too often take for granted.
This public friction comes as Democrats face broader criticism from within their own ranks over neglecting both Black voters and the South.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recently accused the Democratic National Committee of "abandoning the South" and "abandoning Black voters" after Atlanta was dropped from consideration to host the 2028 convention, a decision that undercuts the partys rhetoric about diversity and inclusion.
South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain, defending the states early-primary status, insisted last month that "the South is not the past, it is the future."
At the same time, Democratic chairs from five other Southern states warned the DNC that sidelining their voters risks sending the message that Black Americans loyalty is "taken for granted," according to the Associated Press, a concern conservatives have long argued is well-founded.
When contacted, Gardon told Fox News Digital that his post came from his personal account and in his "personal capacity," describing it as "simply my own observation."
He emphasized that he was "NOT speaking for the Governor or anyone else," a distinction that does little to hide the reality that Newsoms orbit is already shadow-boxing for 2028 while President Trumps second administration reshapes national policy.
Ross did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment, leaving Buttigiegs camp silent as the online spat spread.
Republican strategist Matt Whitlock seized on the moment, writing on X, "Love to watch Gavin Newsom staffers dunk on Pete Buttigieg staffers as they all jostle to catch up to AOC in the 2028 Dem primaries," a remark that underscored how fractured and leftward-pulled the Democratic field has become.
"Were just dropping all pretenses huh," quipped political polling executive Adam Carlson, noting how early and openly the jockeying has begun.
Democrat strategists, meanwhile, fretted that the spectacle made their party look unserious at a time when it is struggling to connect with working-class and minority voters who are increasingly open to Republican messages on faith, family, and economic freedom.
"Staffers of potential 2028ers who denigrate other potential 2028ers at this juncture should be embarrassed. They reflect extremely poorly on their principals," Democrat strategist Jennifer Holdsworth warned in response to Gardons jab.
"Weird tweet to send rn - bad look," Democratic consultant Eric Koch added, signaling that even insiders see the online sniping as politically reckless.
"Potential 2028 staffers, huddle up: you do not want to start the fighting now or on this platform," cautioned Stefan Smith, Head of Digital Engagement at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
"Its too early in the cycle. The longer we play nice (and encourage the principals to play nice) the better it is for everyone," he said, even as the episode highlighted a deeper problem for Democrats: a party leadership more focused on internal status games than on delivering tangible results to the very voters it claims to champion, many of whom are now giving President Trump and Republicans a second look.
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