Rahm Emanuel, Weighing Presidential Bid, Navigates a Democratic Party Moving Left
Party long-timer takes a stage in Iowa to test political waters, leaving behind past criticism of Democrats
Rahm Emanuel, former congressman and Chicago mayor, is signaling a potential 2028 presidential run, making high-profile appearances in Iowa.
Emanuel’s centrist message may clash with the Democratic Party’s progressive base, which is drawn to figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Despite Iowa losing its leadoff caucus status, potential 2028 Democratic candidates continue to visit the state, eyeing its political infrastructure.
DES MOINES, Iowa—Rahm Emanuel has plenty of government experience to tout as he appears increasingly serious about running for president: former Democratic congressman, White House chief of staff, Chicago mayor and diplomat.
But his centrist message clashes with an insurgent progressive base mesmerized by figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Zohran Mamdani, the self-described democratic socialist favored in New York City’s November mayoral election.
So it was instructive to see Emanuel surrounded over the weekend by the Democratic base in Iowa where he headlined an annual party fish fry fundraiser in the state’s largest county. While he wasn’t technically campaigning, it was the first time the famously combative Emanuel had made a high-profile retail political appearance on his own behalf for the better part of a decade.
It felt at times a bit like watching a professional athlete return to the arena after an extended absence. The game has changed significantly since the 65-year-old was last a candidate in 2018, with the explosion of social media and viral videos in politics.
Emanuel made frequent mentions of political and policy wins he helped presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama achieve, as well as his own in Chicago. But gone were his recent criticisms of his party’s brand as “toxic” and “weak and woke.”
His visit followed those by other potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates in the past 16 months, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Some other potential candidates include former Vice President Kamala Harris, who told The Wall Street Journal she still sees herself as a party leader, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has adapted a combative online presence to take on Trump. Carving out a distinct lane will be vital in what is expected to be a large field.
There were reminders that Emanuel isn’t a fresh face. Sean Bagniewski, a state representative who hosted the fundraiser in his front yard, told the audience that he once saw Emanuel and Clinton pass through the Des Moines airport together when he was in the fifth grade.
The seriousness of Emanuel’s ambitions was obvious throughout his two-day visit. He deployed a small advance team to make preparations ahead of his stops and a professional video camera operator filmed him. He attended a high-school football game, visited a business incubator in a low-income neighborhood, and met with teachers, families and union workers.
Emanuel seemed on a mission to shake hands with all of the roughly 400 fish fry attendees. When one woman asked if he is running for president, he replied: “I’m thinking about it.”
On stage, there was self-deprecating humor, a brief impersonation of Clinton and a pledge to work on his empathy. Still, the take-no-prisoners style that earned Emanuel the nickname “Rahm-bo” was never far away: “Washington needs a two by four, and someone who knows how to swing it.”
He criticized the U.S. for not doing more to help children and parents, praised Australia’s planned ban of social media for those under 16, and reflected on time spent practicing ballet in high school.
“I had an after school,” he said, referring to extracurricular activities. “I learned discipline,” he said. “We have to give this to our kids.”
After a mother cried as she spoke about caring for an adult daughter with Down syndrome, Emanuel at one point came close to responding with Clinton’s famous “I feel your pain” line. Instead, Emanuel offered, “I feel your anguish.”
John Hallman, a state government worker from Des Moines who attended the fundraiser, said after Emanuel spoke that there is “no doubt in my mind he’s running.”
Hallman saw enough to put Emanuel high on his list for 2028. “I want a candidate who has fire in their belly and can handle themselves on a debate stage,” he said.
The attention on Iowa comes despite the Democratic National Committee removing the state’s leadoff slot in the presidential nomination process for the 2024 election. Iowa Democrats hope to secure an early spot on the 2028 calendar, with some even threatening to go rogue to host the first balloting, even if unsanctioned by the party.
Republicans are expected to leave Iowa, a state that has the political infrastructure and tradition to host candidates, in the leadoff position for 2028.
Emanuel and prospective 2028 candidates have talked about the state’s importance in the 2026 midterms. Iowa may have competitive races for open seats for governor and Senate, along with two competitive House races.
Tom Miller, a former Iowa attorney general who was one of the first elected officials outside of Illinois to endorse Obama in 2007, said he is most interested in Emanuel, Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
“If we are going to win, I think we need another Clinton,” Miller said. “We need people who can reach the middle and focus on economic issues.”