Van Hollen floats 2028 bid as Democrats seek a message

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said in an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press" that he is "kicking the tires" on a potential 2028 presidential bid. The Democratic senator told host Kristen Welker that Democrats need to champion a departure from the status quo, which he said was a key factor in Donald Trump's election.

"We need to be against the status quo, and that's why I've been kicking the tires as I look at 2028 because I don't think the Democratic Party has answered the call about how we're going to make sure we have an economy that really does work for everybody, especially working people," he said.

Van Hollen's comments came as he was pressed on whether he might challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for party leader if Democrats retake the chamber. He said his focus was "not on majority leader, it's on what Democrats stand for going into 2028."

A party in flux

Van Hollen, who has served in the Senate since 2017 after more than a decade in the House, has been a prominent critic of the Trump administration and has pushed for Democrats to offer a clear alternative to the Republican agenda. He previously signaled interest in a run to NOTUS and at the Hill Nation Summit, an annual event by The Hill and NewsNation.

Asked to clarify his "kicking the tires" remark, he noted he has visited New Hampshire and Iowa, historically the first two nominating states. New Hampshire will remain early in the 2028 calendar, while Iowa has been pushed out of the early window.

"I think there's a great deal of churning within the Democratic party, and I support that," Van Hollen said. "As I said, I think we need this healthy debate because I don't think Democrats have put forward a clear alternative to the Trump administration."

He added that Democrats need to be clear not just about what they oppose, but what they support. He also said he is not afraid to debate and sees a place for Democratic socialists in the party, though some of their platform points go "of course" too far for him.

A wide field of potential candidates

Van Hollen is not alone in leaving the door open to a 2028 run. Several other Democrats have indicated interest. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has not ruled out a bid; Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would be "lying" if he denied considering a run; Gov. Andy Beshear said he may "take a look"; former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he is "more inclined than not" to run; Sen. Cory Booker has not ruled it out; Sen. Ruben Gallego said he would "have to look at" the possibility; and former Vice President Kamala Harris said she is "thinking about" running again.

Van Hollen recently campaigned for Abdul El-Sayed, a 41-year-old progressive running for Senate in Michigan and viewed as an outside-the-status-quo candidate. He also noted the recent Florida Democratic primary win by Angie Nixon, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, whose platform includes replacing the president and Supreme Court and abolishing the Senate.

Perspectives

  • Chris Van Hollen: He is considering a 2028 run because the party has not offered a clear alternative, and he welcomes internal debate. He distances himself from leadership contests and expresses openness to debating Democratic socialists while disagreeing with some of their positions.
  • Potential 2028 candidates: Several Democrats have signaled interest, reflecting an open field and uncertainty about the party's direction.