Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, speaks during the National Action Network (NAN) Convention in New York, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)2026-04-09T04:14:58Z NEW YORK (AP) The Democratic Partys most ambitious politicians are courting African American activists in New York this week as the partys unofficial 2028 presidential nomination contest takes shape at an annual conference led by Rev. Al Sharpton.Up first was Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who warned that everyone is less safe because of President Donald Trumps leadership and blamed him for a nationwide surge in antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and bigotry.Theres more chaos, theres more cruelty in our world, Shapiro said. Even if we disagree on health care policy or tax policy or whatever, we should at least, at a baseline, have an honorable president of the United States. We do not have that right now.The Democratic governor, already considered a top-tier 2028 presidential prospect with a clear path to reelection in his battleground state this year, delivered a scathing criticism of the Republican president on the opening day of the National Action Networks four-day conference. More than a half-dozen potential candidates are speaking here to make inroads among Black leaders, one of Democrats most powerful voting blocs. The presidential primary is already underwayThe presidential primary season wont begin in earnest until after Novembers midterm elections, but this weeks conference is showcasing a collection of Democrats already jockeying for position in what promises to be a crowded primary fight.For now, at least, there is no clear early favorite. Everybodys talking about who may run for president, said Sharpton, the National Action Networks founder and president. I want to first know what their vision is now, and what theyre doing now. So Ive invited all of the people that could run. In addition to Shapiro, the speaking program features Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, and Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. Read More Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the last Democratic presidential nominee, is also scheduled to speak. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another likely contender, wont be in attendance because of a previously scheduled family commitment, his team said, noting that he met with Sharpton earlier in the year. Black voters have critical influenceOne doesnt have to look far to see the outsized influence that Black voters wield in Democratic nomination contests.In 2020, Buttigieg was a top vote-getter in the Iowa caucus and scored a strong second place in New Hampshire both overwhelmingly white states before Joe Biden dominated South Carolina on the strength of the Black vote. Bidens long-established relationship with the African American community, backed by his perceived electability advantage, ultimately helped him beat back a strong push by progressive favorite Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sign up for Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day. Email address Sign up By checking this box, you agree to AP's Terms of Use and acknowledge that AP may collect and use your data pursuant to our Privacy Policy. All of the 2028 prospects are quick to criticize Trump, although there is broad agreement that Democrats also need to highlight what they stand for instead of solely what theyre against. The White House did not respond to a request for comment about the conference. Khanna, a Sanders ally who also addressed activists on Wednesday, told The Associated Press that progressive candidates in 2028 could make greater inroads with Black voters by speaking to the Civil Rights tradition and offering a vision rooted in Black history.A 2028 contender needs to articulate and run on a new moral vision for America, Khanna said. Any presidential candidates platform, he added, must be as much inspired by the greats of Douglass and King referring to abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. while offering a new vision for racial justice, economic justice, peace in the world, against militarism, against racism, against wealth inequality.Shapiro, who was a finalist in Harris search for a running mate in 2024, highlighted both his electability and his commitment to African American priorities while on stage.He described Pennsylvania as the ultimate swing state, while defending diversity, equity and inclusion programs and insisting that police must be held to account if they do something wrong. He also went after Trump again and again, suggesting that the looming midterm elections should be a national referendum on Donald Trump and on what is happening in Washington, D.C. Ashley Sharpton, Rev. Sharptons youngest daughter, said she was surprised by the audiences enthusiasm and engagement while Shapiro and Khanna were on stage on the conferences first day. She said shes looking forward to hearing from Moore, Harris and Buttigieg.Thats why people come, she said. They want to get some of that energy, that consistency, that base. MATT BROWN Brown covers national politics, federal policy and democracy issues for The Associated Press. twitter instagram mailto