Stephen A. Smith named Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore as his top choices to lead the Democratic ticket in 2028.<\/p>\n
Speaking on his SiriusXM program Straight Shooter with Stephen A., Smith responded to a caller from Wisconsin, who described himself as a \u201clifetime lib\u201d and suggested California Gov. Gavin Newsom was the party\u2019s most likely candidate, though he added, \u201cI\u2019m not totally sold.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be. You shouldn\u2019t be,\u201d Smith said, interrupting. \u201cLet me tell you something right now: First of all, I\u2019ve got two candidates for you. They\u2019re two of my favorites. Now, I\u2019m not telling you to vote as I vote. I\u2019m just being honest and open with you about who are my two favorite candidates, OK?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love Gov. Josh Shapiro from Pennsylvania and Gov. Wes Moore from Maryland,\u201d he added, per\u00a0The Hill<\/a>. \u201cThose are my two and not necessarily in that order.\u201d<\/p>\n The issue at hand for Democrats is that many are starting to push for Wes Moore to run in 2028.<\/p>\n However, Moore recently bowed out of 2028 contention and said he would run for re-election as governor.<\/p>\n During an appearance earlier this month on NBC\u2019s \u201cMeet the Press,\u201d Moore was asked by anchor Kristen Welker if he planned to throw his hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination. \u201cYeah, I\u2019m not running for president,\u201d he\u00a0responded<\/a>.<\/p>\n When pressed again on whether he was ruling out a presidential bid, he repeated that he was, pointing instead to his record as Maryland\u2019s governor and stressing his intention to seek a second term.<\/p>\n \u201cOur population is growing, Maryland is moving, and so I\u2019m really excited about going back in front of the people of my state and asking for another term,\u201d Moore said.<\/p>\n The governor also said on \u201cMeet the Press\u201d that \u201call options are on the table\u201d during the national redistricting fight, including redrawing Maryland\u2019s congressional districts, though the state\u2019s congressional delegation only has one Republican, Rep. Andy Harris, an incumbent since 2011.<\/p>\n At the same time, Moore added, he believed that \u201cgerrymandering is actually a true stain on a larger democratic soul.\u201d<\/p>\n WATCH:<\/p>\n