George Clooney has waded back into Democratic presidential politics, naming three Democrats he’d like to see compete for the party’s 2028 nomination β and one of his picks comes with recent controversy attached.
Speaking Friday at The Future of Creativity event in Venice, the Oscar-winning actor offered his early wish list for a post-Biden party that is already jockeying for position in the next election cycle. According to the Daily Mail, Clooney’s top choice was Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff.
“I think we’re all very excited by this young senator from Georgia, Jon Ossoff,” Clooney said.
Clooney also pointed to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear as governors on his radar. All three names currently register at roughly one percent or less in most 2028 primary polls tracking Democratic voter support, according to recent survey data.
The Ossoff Pick Comes With Baggage
Ossoff, 39, is seen as a rising figure in the party, but he recently drew criticism after making a sexually suggestive remark about a young Trump staffer, Natalie Harp β implying without evidence that she is having an affair with the president. The comment sparked backlash and drew headlines that Clooney’s endorsement may now amplify.
Clooney, 65, framed his choices around generational change rather than specific policy platforms.
“I am 65 years old, and I think that we need some young voices that are coming up with new ideas and some new thoughts,” he said.
The actor was emphatic, however, that he would not be one of those voices. He insisted he will “absolutely not” run for office himself.
Pritzker and Beshear
Pritzker, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, has governed Illinois through two terms marked by significant fiscal strain. Under his leadership, Illinois has risen to the top of lists of the highest-taxed states β it now has the second-highest gas taxes in the nation and the highest property taxes of any state. The state also faces the worst public pension crisis in the country, a problem that has worsened during his tenure.
Beshear, meanwhile, has governed Kentucky as a Democrat in a deeply red state, winning reelection in 2023 by a comfortable margin. He has often been cited as a potential national candidate who could appeal to swing voters.
None of the three has formally declared a 2028 bid. Clooney said he plans to make an endorsement after the 2026 midterm elections conclude.
A Controversial Record of Endorsements
The actor’s track record in presidential politics is a complicated one. Clooney was instrumental in convincing Democrats to push Joe Biden off the 2024 ticket after a disastrous debate performance. He then endorsed Kamala Harris, who was installed as the party’s nominee without a competitive primary vote. Harris proceeded to lose the general election to Donald Trump in what was widely described as a historic upset.
Given that history, some Democrats may view Clooney’s blessing as a mixed bag β a point the actor himself seems aware of as he positions himself as a kingmaker, not a candidate.
For now, the party’s 2028 field remains wide open, with Ossoff, Beshear, and Pritzker all still polling in the low single digits. Whether Clooney’s star power can move those numbers β or whether it will prove as counterproductive as his last endorsement β remains an open question as the midterms approach.
Source: www.breitbart.com β https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/09/07/george-clooney-makes-three-shocking-picks-for-democrats-hed-back-in-2028/