Sen. Mark Kelly Responds to Presidential Run Rumors: 'We'll See'
The Arizona Democrat's brief answer during a campaign event in Maine prompted cheers from the audience and fueled speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid.
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., appeared to leave the door open for a presidential run in 2028, responding "We'll see" when an audience member shouted "president" during a stump speech on Tuesday. The moment occurred while Kelly was speaking in support of Troy Jackson, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Maine.
Kelly, who is up for re-election in the Senate in 2028, is frequently included in surveys of potential Democratic presidential primary contenders. He has seen his national profile rise, notably after appearing in a November 2025 video with other Democratic lawmakers regarding military orders, which later prompted a federal grand jury to decline indictment.
Axios reported last week that Kelly is considering a White House run and intends to decide on a presidential or a Senate re-election bid after the midterm elections. Arizona law permits presidential and vice presidential candidates to simultaneously seek election to one additional federal office. This provision means Kelly could run for both president and Senate in 2028, though he would not be able to hold both offices if he won both races.
If Kelly were to secure the Democratic presidential nomination, he could appear on Arizona ballots for both president and Senate. He has previously polled behind figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom in hypothetical 2028 primary matchups.
