Sen. Mark Kelly says 'We'll see' to 2028 presidential question

Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona responded with a two-word phrase on Tuesday that suggests he is open to running for president in 2028. While campaigning in Maine for Democratic Senate nominee Troy Jackson, Kelly told the audience, "We'll see," after a fan shouted "president" during his speech.

The exchange occurred while Kelly discussed the economic challenges facing young Americans. He outlined his background as the son of police officers who attended public schools, eventually becoming a Navy pilot, an astronaut, and a U.S. senator. The crowd erupted in cheers after his brief reply.

Kelly faces a re-election contest for his Senate seat in 2028. He currently trails established contenders such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom in Democratic primary polls. However, his national visibility has increased recently due to a video he posted in November 2025 with other Democratic lawmakers.

In that video, Kelly and five other Democrats told U.S. service members it is their duty to disobey illegal orders from the executive branch. The clip triggered a criminal investigation into the six lawmakers. A federal grand jury decided in February not to indict any of them.

According to a report from Axios last week, Kelly is considering a White House bid. He told the outlet that he will decide whether to seek the presidency or another Senate term after the midterm elections. This decision may be easier to make than in other states because of specific rules in Arizona law.

Arizona statutes allow presidential and vice presidential candidates to run for one additional federal office at the same time. This means Kelly could appear on the ballot for both president and senator in 2028. If he won both races, he could not serve in both offices, but the rule reduces the risk of losing his Senate seat if he runs for president.

Kelly's approach mirrors a strategy that allows candidates to test the waters for a high-profile race without immediately giving up their current position. The legal provision in his home state provides a path for him to pursue the top executive job while maintaining a foothold in the U.S. Senate.