Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is signaling that he may be considering a run for the White House in 2028, becoming the latest Democrat to leave the door open to a potential presidential campaign as the party searches for its next generation of national leaders.
In an interview on NOTUS’s “On NOTUS” podcast, Van Hollen acknowledged that he is beginning to test the political waters after being asked about a recent trip to New Hampshire, a state that has long played an outsized role in presidential politics.
“I went to New Hampshire because I was invited, but I would say, kind of kicking the tires a little bit,” Van Hollen told NOTUS.
The Maryland Democrat suggested that lawmakers looking to drive major political change may need to operate beyond Capitol Hill.
“It’s pretty clear that operating from within the confines of the halls of Congress is not a successful recipe for actually getting change, because, too often, we are a bubble,” Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen’s comments come as he has become increasingly visible during President Trump’s second term. The senator has drawn attention for his sharp criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and for his advocacy on behalf of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was deported to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center.
Should Van Hollen ultimately enter the race, he would join what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is widely viewed as a potential contender and has continued to build a national profile through frequent clashes with the Trump administration. Newsom recently suggested that a federal investigation involving him was politically motivated, while observers continue to view him as one of the party’s leading 2028 prospects.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has also left the door open to another White House run after her defeat in the 2024 election. Harris recently said she is “thinking about” a 2028 campaign, one of her clearest indications yet that she may seek the presidency again.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has likewise fueled speculation about a future national campaign. While declining to commit to a run, Ocasio-Cortez recently emphasized that her political ambitions are focused on “change the country” rather than pursuing a specific title, remarks that many observers interpreted as leaving open the possibility of a presidential bid.
Other Democrats frequently mentioned as possible 2028 candidates include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Transportation Secretary-turned-party surrogate Pete Buttigieg, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and California Rep. Ro Khanna, among others.
The early maneuvering comes as Democrats continue to assess the fallout from the party’s 2024 defeat. Former President Biden ended his reelection campaign after a disastrous debate performance, paving the way for Harris to become the Democratic nominee. Although Democrats have since posted encouraging results in several off-year and special elections, party leaders remain divided over the message and coalition that will define the next presidential cycle.
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