Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is campaigning for Democratic candidates in Georgia, Iowa, and Kansas ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. While Kelly stated his current focus is on these November contests, Democratic strategists and party members have identified him as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential race. The Arizona senator, who is not up for reelection this cycle, has recently increased his public criticism of the Trump administration, specifically regarding military and foreign policy decisions.
The National Republican Senatorial Campaign (NRSC) issued a statement on Monday characterizing the travels of Kelly and Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) as "shadow presidential runs." Kelly is currently in Georgia for a three-day swing to support Ossoff’s reelection campaign against Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.). During the visit, Kelly addressed speculation regarding a future ticket with Ossoff, though he has told reporters he has made "no decision yet" regarding a 2028 run.
Kelly, a former Navy pilot, recently called for an investigation into the USS Abraham Lincoln after the aircraft carrier returned from the Iran war theater. He reported that the ship was at sea for more than 240 days and alleged that a lack of strategic goals and timelines has contributed to poor mental health among the crew. In response to Kelly’s previous criticisms of the administration's Caribbean boat strikes, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon would open a misconduct review into Kelly’s actions.
For voters and taxpayers, the interaction between the executive branch and members of Congress regarding military oversight represents a direct point of friction. Crew members on the USS Abraham Lincoln and their families are directly impacted by the conditions Kelly has highlighted, which include reports of mental health issues and personnel jumping overboard following a 240-day deployment. The outcome of the Pentagon’s misconduct review into Kelly, initiated by Secretary Hegseth, could establish a precedent for how the Department of Defense handles public dissent from members of Congress who are also veterans.
The midterm elections in November will determine the balance of power in the Senate, where Ossoff faces Rep. Mike Collins in a state previously won by Donald Trump. The success or failure of Kelly's surrogate campaigning may influence Democratic strategy for the 2028 presidential cycle. While Kelly has acknowledged thinking about a presidential run, he has not set a formal date for an announcement. The Pentagon has not yet released the results of its review into the senator's conduct.