Stephen A. Smith
Stephen A. Smith
2028 Democratic presidential nominee
$124.7M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSports journalist
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyCentrist Independent
Age58 years old (Oct 14, 1967)
GenderMale
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BackgroundSports journalist
EducationWinston-Salem State University — B.A., mass communications (1991)
Notable personal detailsStephen A. Smith is an American sports journalist, television and radio personality best known for his work at ESPN, including as a featured commentator on First Take. He has also hosted ESPN Radio programs and other ESPN shows, and he released the memoir Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes in 2023. Smith attended Winston-Salem State University, earning a B.A. in mass communications.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Immigration & Border
Supports stronger enforcement measures such as patrolling the border and opposes sanctuary-city policies that resist federal immigration enforcement. Describes himself as a moderate/centrist with an emphasis on national security and border patrolling rather than broad regularization or expanded asylum access.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports a woman’s right to choose and opposes men deciding for women, while stating personal discomfort with abortion; favors reproductive choice with personal reservations. Positions indicate support for abortion access though not as an affirmative advocate for abortion itself.
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Public Safety & Guns
The candidate has made public comments addressing gun violence and law enforcement use of force, expressing concern about community-on-community shootings while also saying he is not wholly opposed to Second Amendment rights. He has defended some law-enforcement uses of lethal force from a legal standpoint in recent remarks but also criticized the humanitarian consequences of shootings. Overall public statements show a mix of positions rather than a clear policy platform on specific gun regulations.
News
Stephen A. Smith is in the news for his ongoing talk about a possible 2028 presidential run, though he has also recently denied that he is actually planning to run. He has been discussing what Democrats need to do to win back voters and said the party lacks direction heading into 2028. In a recent interview, he also said he would prefer Marco Rubio over several prominent Democrats if those were the choices, while naming Josh Shapiro and Wes Moore more favorably than others.
Stephen A. Smith unloads on ‘rudderless’ Democrats: ‘I don’t give a d---’
James Carville asks Stephen A Smith how Democrats can reach young men
Stephen A Smith teases 2028 presidential run amid Democratic concerns
Stephen A. Smith Taking Big Steps Towards Presidential Run
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