Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly is fueling speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid as Democrats begin positioning themselves ahead of the next race for the White House.
Mark Kelly’s possible 2028 run
Kelly, a Democrat who has frequently been mentioned as a possible contender, was asked by Politico whether his decision to campaign for Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff could foreshadow an “Ossoff-Kelly” presidential ticket.
“Hey, why’d you put it in that order?” Kelly responded.
The playful remark comes as speculation surrounding the 2028 Democratic field grows ahead of this year’s midterm elections. Prospective candidates are already testing political messages, visiting key primary states and working to build national profiles.
Presidential candidates traditionally begin formally launching campaigns after the midterms, although some contenders have entered races earlier.
Early polling suggests Kelly currently trails several better-known Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Recent polling
A recent Focaldata and Financial Times poll showed Harris leading with 30 percent support, followed by Newsom at 14 percent, Buttigieg at 10 percent and Ocasio-Cortez at 8 percent. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro received 6 percent, while Kelly and Ossoff each registered 5 percent.
The poll surveyed 2,152 adults from August 7 through August 11.
Other surveys have similarly placed Kelly in the single digits. A McLaughlin & Associates poll released in July put him at 7 percent, while an Echelon Insights survey showed him receiving 4 percent support. Harris led both polls.
Kelly’s supporters, however, could point to his electoral record in politically competitive Arizona as evidence that he could appeal to swing voters nationally.
Mark Kelly’s reputation
The former astronaut was first elected to the Senate in 2020, winning by just over 2 percentage points before securing a full term in 2022 by nearly 5 points.
Arizona remains closely divided between Democrats and Republicans. President Donald Trump carried the state by approximately 5.5 points in the 2024 presidential election, making it his strongest performance among the major swing states.
Kelly has also cultivated a reputation as a moderate during his time in the Senate, reflecting Arizona’s closely divided electorate. Some Democrats believe a moderate candidate with a proven record of winning in a battleground state could offer the party a stronger path against a Republican nominee in 2028.
