Sen. Mark Kelly Contemplates 2028 Presidential Run
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has indicated that he might “seriously consider” a bid for the presidency in 2028, which suggests he’s keeping his options open for a potential White House campaign.
During an interview with the BBC on February 16, Kelly, who has been navigating challenges involving the Trump administration, mentioned he hasn’t made a definitive choice regarding a campaign but is certainly weighing the possibility.
“People are always talking about this, but there’s an election coming up in 2026 that I need to focus on first,” he noted, highlighting the importance of addressing that event.
On a personal note, he added, “I really need to discuss this with my wife, Gabby, and our daughters, along with my identical twin brother, who’s also an astronaut. It’s important to think about how this decision would impact all of them.”
Kelly’s statements come on the heels of significant developments relating to his ongoing disputes with the administration. Recently, a federal judge blocked the Pentagon’s attempt to demote him due to a controversial video he recorded alongside fellow Democrats. This video emphasized that military personnel aren’t obliged to follow “illegal” orders.
“Our laws are pretty clear,” he asserted in the video. “Illegal orders can be rejected.”
In response to the video, President Trump denounced it as a “seditious act” and hinted at potential arrests of lawmakers involved. Meanwhile, a grand jury decided not to indict Kelly and five other Democrats concerning charges of sedition and conspiracy.
In addition, Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth is initiating a retirement review process against Kelly, which could affect his benefits as a retired Navy captain. Kelly has filed a lawsuit alleging that this action is unconstitutional retaliation for exercising his right to free speech.
A U.S. District Judge granted a temporary injunction against the demotion, stating that it likely infringed on Kelly’s First Amendment rights. Hegseth intends to appeal this decision, suggesting “this will be immediately appealed.”
Reflecting on his career, Kelly acknowledged his unique qualifications, saying, “I might not be the best person for this job. I’m quite different from the rest of the senators. I have a graduate degree in engineering and extensive combat experience from my 25 years in the military.”
He expressed a sense of modesty regarding the idea of running for the presidency, admitting, “I never thought I’d be in this position, but of course, I’ll consider it. It’s a significant decision, though I haven’t reached a conclusion yet.”
