Deciding on 2028
Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly stated that he has a timeline in mind for a potential 2028 presidential run but declined to share it during an appearance at Crooked Con, ktar.com reported.
I am thinking about it,
Kelly said at the Washington event hosted by Crooked Media, according to comments noted by CNN politics reporter Patrick Svitek and relayed by ktar.com. He added that he has discussed the matter with his wife, former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, and other family members.
The first-term senator faces a political crossroads in 2028, as he is also up for reelection to his Senate seat that year. deseret.com reported that Arizona state law allows candidates to simultaneously run for federal office, giving Kelly until March 20, 2028, to submit signatures for the Senate race after some presidential primaries have already started.
Mark Kelly at Crooked Con skips past some of the standard pre-presidential dodges: "I am thinking about it." I've talked about it with family. "We've had conversations, we're going to continue to have them." Do you have a timeline? "I do." Do you want to share it? "No."
Weighing the Field
Kelly first began addressing presidential speculation following a November 2025 video where he and five other Democratic lawmakers told service members they have a duty to refuse illegal orders. The Pentagon subsequently moved to demote him, prompting Kelly to sue Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in January for violating his First Amendment rights, ktar.com reported.
Polling numbers show Kelly is drawing attention, as Deseret News and Hinckley Institute of Politics polling found roughly 14% of voters nationwide place Kelly among their top three choices for the nomination.
The potential 2028 Democratic primary field could feature several prominent figures. ktar.com reported that early speculative lists include 2024 nominee and former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Arizona Crosscurrents
Fellow Arizona Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego is also weighing a possible presidential bid. Gallego noted his status as a politician who has won a red state and can connect with working-class voters and Latino men, ktar.com reported.
Sen. @CaptMarkKelly on if he'll run for President in 2028: "I'm considering it. I'll make a decision after this election sometime." pic.twitter.com/0PX4HObJ88
Kelly previously told NBC News’ Meet the Press
in July that he would wait until after the midterm elections to make his final decision.
