Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., has attributed the growing influence of progressive Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to the policies enacted during the Trump administration. Kelly suggested that economic disparities and what he described as corruption have driven Democratic voters toward more left-leaning candidates.
A recent poll in New Hampshire indicated that Ocasio-Cortez was the leading choice among likely Democratic voters for the party's 2028 presidential nomination. In the same poll, Kelly secured third place with 9% support, trailing Ocasio-Cortez and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Kelly's remarks come amid a trend of self-identified Democratic Socialists winning primary elections against more moderate candidates, signaling an increasing sway of the progressive wing within the Democratic Party. "The policies of this president — supporting billionaires over hardworking people," Kelly told Fox News Digital when asked about the resonance of candidates like Ocasio-Cortez and others associated with the Democratic Socialists of America.
He further elaborated, stating, "1% of the country now owns more wealth than the bottom 60% combined for the first time since the central bank began tracking the data in 1989." This statistic, according to Federal Reserve data from 2021, highlights a significant wealth gap.
Kelly criticized the current administration, asserting, "It's unfortunate we have people like this running the government and I think people are really frustrated." He added, "I mean this president doesn't prioritize anybody but him and his family. The corruption is just off the charts."
In contrast, former President Donald Trump has defended his economic agenda, which included efforts to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and reduce energy costs, as beneficial for middle-class Americans.
Kelly himself has not ruled out a presidential run in 2028, acknowledging that it is a subject of ongoing discussions with his family.