Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is considering a potential 2028 presidential run while traveling extensively to campaign and fundraise for Democratic candidates during the current midterm cycle. Kelly stated in an interview on Monday, October 19, 2026, that he is approaching a decision but will not finalize it until after the upcoming elections. By the end of this cycle, he is scheduled to have campaigned in nearly 20 states, including early primary locations and battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia.
The Arizona senator, a former Navy combat pilot and NASA astronaut, has raised approximately $14.1 million for Democratic organizations this cycle. This total includes $4.1 million for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and over $3 million for the Democratic National Committee. Kelly's current itinerary includes events across Arizona to support 18 state legislative candidates, followed by campaign stops in New Mexico with his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.), and Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).
Kelly has used his platform to criticize the Trump administration’s national security and economic policies. He has specifically questioned the fitness of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, citing Hegseth’s use of private messaging apps for military business and a proposal for a public execution. Kelly also reported that Arizona small business owners are facing financial difficulties due to a decline in Canadian tourism, which he attributed to the president's trade disputes and rhetoric regarding Canada.
For ordinary citizens, Kelly’s focus on economic frustration addresses specific changes in household costs. He noted that renters, young people unable to buy homes until their 40s, and individuals losing access to Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are facing increased daily financial pressure. Small business owners in border states like Arizona are noticing direct impacts on their revenue; one restaurant owner in Yuma told Kelly the current economic climate, influenced by trade friction with Canada, has been more difficult for his business than the COVID-19 pandemic.
What happens next depends on the 2026 midterm results and the scheduled 2028 primary calendar. South Carolina is set to host the first Democratic presidential primary on January 22, 2028, followed by Nevada on February 1 and New Hampshire on February 8. Kelly’s next immediate actions include campaigning in Arizona through Friday, October 23, before traveling to a rally in New Mexico this weekend. He has set the period following the midterm elections as his deadline for a final decision on a presidential bid.