🗓️ Join us for Rhode Map Live on Jan. 22 where we'll discuss reforming the education funding formula. You can sign up here.

Gina Raimondo didn’t exactly maintain a high public profile last year after telling veteran political strategist David Axelrod in April that she was considering a run for president, but she’s still not ruling out a campaign for the Democratic nomination in 2028.

The former US commerce secretary and Rhode Island governor was on businesswoman Karen Finerman’s “How She Does It” podcast last month, and she confirmed that she’s still interested in making a longshot run at the White House.

“I think it's a job that I would know how to do, and it's a very hard job to get,” Raimondo said. “Politics is not a meritocracy.”

The bigger picture: It’s difficult to remain in the spotlight when you don’t hold elected office, are no longer part of the president’s cabinet, or haven’t written a best-selling book. 

The most commonly floated names as Democratic frontrunners for 2028 include California Governor Gavin Newsom, US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and former vice president Kamala Harris.

But if you’re looking for a lottery ticket, you can bet on Raimondo to be the Democratic nominee on the prediction markets. As of this morning, a $10 bet on Raimondo would pay $2,500 on Polymarket, and $10 would win you $1,000 on Kalshi.

Raimondo has always been a favorite of the donor class (Finerman was a Raimondo donor when she was governor), and her stint as commerce secretary only solidified her reputation with business people. But she’s done very little to remain on the chessboard compared to other ambitious Democrats.

What’s next: One thing Raimondo ruled out on Finerman’s podcast: running a private company.

“I've been given a few CEO-of-company opportunities, and I've said no to those,” she said. “And that isn't where I want to go at this point in my life. I'd like to run something, but more kind of purpose-driven or socially motivated.”

Raimondo recently joined the Costco board with current Democratic candidate for governor Helena Foulkes. There has been a lot of speculation in Raimondo circles that her next landing spot could be a college presidency.

But she’s officially still kicking the tires at a run for the White House.

At this pace, she might make her decision before House Speaker Joe Shekarchi makes a call on running for governor.