* AP…

The Democratic Party’s most ambitious politicians are courting African American activists in New York this week as the party’s unofficial 2028 presidential nomination contest takes shape at an annual conference led by Rev. Al Sharpton. […]

“Everybody’s talking about who may run for president,” said Sharpton, the National Action Network’s founder and president. “I want to first know what their vision is now, and what they’re doing now. So I’ve invited all of the people that could run.”

In addition to Shapiro, the speaking program features Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Rep. Ro Khanna of California, and Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the last Democratic presidential nominee, is also scheduled to speak. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another likely contender, won’t be in attendance because of a previously scheduled family commitment, his team said, noting that he met with Sharpton earlier in the year.

* Bloomberg…

The conference is a key step in Sharpton’s endorsement process, he said. He wants to hear from the attendees about what they’ve done to combat President Donald Trump’s efforts to limit voting access and diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and what they would do if elected.

Sharpton, who ran his own unsuccessful campaign for president in 2004, also wants to observe how well the potential candidates mesh with conference attendees.

“I will be looking at their chemistry with our community,” Sharpton said.

Gov. Pritzker is scheduled for a fireside chat with Rev. Al Sharpton at 11:30 central time. Click here to watch.

Thoughts?