Senator Mark Kelly Signals Possible 2028 Presidential Run

During a campaign appearance for Senate candidate Troy Jackson in Maine, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., was asked about a White House bid. He replied, “We’ll see,” drawing cheers from the crowd. The brief response follows earlier remarks in which Kelly said, “I am thinking about it, I’m considering it,” indicating that he has not ruled out a presidential campaign while he remains up for Senate reelection in 2028.

Fox News (website)

Kelly, a former Navy pilot and astronaut, has risen in Democratic primary surveys, often trailing former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Arizona law permits a candidate to seek the presidency while simultaneously filing for another federal office, allowing Kelly to keep both options viable. He must submit Senate-race signatures by March 20, 2028, after several presidential primaries have occurred, giving him time to gauge his standing in the national field.

Fox News (website)

A poll conducted by the Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics shows Kelly favored by about 17 % of Utah voters and 14 % of voters nationwide, placing him fifth among twelve potential Democratic contenders. The same polling indicates no single candidate holds a clear lead, suggesting a fragmented primary where an early-start candidate could gain traction.

Deseret News

He also refuted claims that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were attempting to intimidate him after he criticized U.S. military strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. Additionally, Kelly was among five Democratic lawmakers investigated for urging service members to disobey illegal orders; a federal grand jury declined to indict them the following February.

Deseret News

• “I am thinking about it, I’m considering it.” — Sen. Mark Kelly

Deseret News