At least some potential voters are buying what Stephen A. Smith is selling. In a McLaughlin & Associates poll, which asked, “Thinking ahead to the 2028 Democratic primary election for President, if that election were held today among the following candidates, for whom would you vote?” Smith earned 2% of the vote among the 414 people polled. Former Vice President and 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris led with 33%, being the only candidate to break double digits. Following her were former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (9%), California Governor Gavin Newsom (7%), U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (6%), Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (3%), Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz (3%), and Smith (2%).
NEW – 2028 Democratic Primary Poll
🔵 Harris 33%
🔵 Buttigieg 9%
🔵 Newsom 7%
🔵 Aoc 6%
🔵 Shapiro 3%
🔵 Walz 3%
🔵 Stephen A. Smith 2%McLaughlin #C – 1/27
— Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) January 30, 2025
Smith took notice of his placement, which triggered a variety of reactions from notable figures. Several individuals commented on the longtime ESPN personality’s standing in the poll.
I’d vote for Stephen A. Smith
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) January 30, 2025
We got Stephen A on the scoreboard. Nowhere to go but up from here. https://t.co/K1V6fCYfsM
— kang (@jaycaspiankang) January 30, 2025
https://t.co/mh6hFpvDe3 pic.twitter.com/NOgVmlqZ0e
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 30, 2025
Every poll should include Stephen A Smith as a control variable https://t.co/6yKaTIPni4
— no more cheer. (@GarlicCorgi) January 30, 2025
I would absolutely vote for @stephenasmith https://t.co/L6SLacz1Dn
— Gordon Gourd (@BirdRespecter) January 30, 2025
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) January 30, 2025
While this poll and others concerning the 2028 Presidential Election come with notable caveats—mainly that we’re still three years away from the primaries and four years from the actual election, where very few candidates are currently solidified—it is intriguing to note how few candidates possess much following. Smith has openly engaged with political issues, being quite vocal on America’s current political landscape and has expressed his willingness to consider running for office.
While Stephen A. Smith as a Democratic candidate may seem improbable now, it isn’t entirely far-fetched. He has sparked some interest and gained a modest footing in this early stage of polling, suggesting that the fantasy of his candidacy isn’t completely out of reach.
