2028 Presidential Election (Alt. King's World)

The 2028 United States presidential election was the 62nd quadrennial American presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 7, 2028. Incumbent President Kamala Harris and Vice President Sherrod Brown defeated Missouri Senator Josh Hawley and South Carolina Senator Nikki Haley.

Background
The Presidency of Kamala Harris saw quick action in the use of her thin Senate Majority. She agreed to the Senate Democrats altering the filibuster which allowed for more progressive and big legislation to pass through Congress. For what the Democrats wanted to do, the sky was the limit. In her first term, President Harris enacted major education, criminal justice, energy, and middle class investments. She even canceled student loan debt and signed legislation that waved student loans after 5 years of good payment history. Her approval rating with Democrats remained high, she had a net positive approval with Independents.

As Vice President Sherrod Brown worked with various federal departments and Congress to enact legislation to help middle class families, blue collar workers and workers in agriculture. One of his proudest accomplishments was the "Dignity of Work" Bill. That saw historic investments in things like the child tax credit and gave more protections to workers against discrimination and other practices.

Similar to President Biden, a healthy number of President Harris's agenda was popular with the American people. As the re-election period came closer, polling indicated that President Harris had on average a 55% approval rating.

Republican Primary
The Republican primary was a little scarce in terms of participants, similar to Obama in 2012. Many felt that Harris would be re-elected and did not want to squander their chance to become President. However, Senator Hawley amongst others like Ted Cruz, thought that she was weak and with an engaged Republican base, they could win. Also analysts thought that maybe after 8 years of one party, the typical tradition of the White House flipping since 1992, would hold. After winning many states in the South, and the winner take all primary in South Carolina, Josh Hawley clenched the nomination.

Running Mate
Nikki Haley was seen as a frontrunner for the nomination for whoever won. Haley as a woman of color, domestic experience as a governor and foreign policy experience would be seen as a key asset. August 2028, Senator Hawley announced Nikki Haley as his running mate. The choice gave enthusiasm heading into the convention and was seen as a game changer. The Harris/Brown administration quickly countered by releasing a statement attacking Haley for putting corporate America ahead of the needs of the American people.

General Election
The General Election was fierce as Hawley laid rapid attacks on the Harris administration. Often spouting lies to get his base out to vote. However, Sherrod Brown would go to many Republican areas and counter the narrative. During the campaign, President Harris and Senator Haley would focus their campaign visits on the suburbs. For the first time, Democrats viewed that they had a real chance to flip the state of Texas in their column. Last cycle, they flipped the Senate seat for the first time since 1993.

The Harris/Brown campaign worked to paint Hawley as a enemy of middle class Americans and had no interest in the common American. In turn, the Hawley/Haley campaign worked to paint the Harris/Brown administration as a socialist force using government to hurt the American people. In a great boost to the Harris campaign, a hurricane had hit Texas with her going down there it helped gain points in the state. President Harris didn't use the moment intentionally for publicity but it was a benefit as a side effect of being President.

The Presidential debate opinion polling all agreed that Harris had won the debates. However, Hawley was a formidable opponent with his experience in law and relatively short tenure as Attorney General. In the Vice Presidential debate, Brown was seen as the clear winner, his policy wonk brain gave him a great advantage as he was able to articulate the weaknesses and problems in the policies of the Hawley campaign. While Haley was a great debater, it was hard for her to counter with Brown's exact policy counters.

On Election Night, the Harris/Brown team was declared the winner at 11:00pm, with the same quickness of the 2012 re-election of Obama.