Arizona's Gallego and Kelly fuel 2028 speculation
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U.S. Sens. Ruben Gallego, left, and Mark Kelly. Photos: Shannon Finney/NBC and Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
Speculation is growing that one or both of Arizona's Democratic U.S. senators could make a run for president in 2028.
Why it matters: U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego have been unavoidable this year, appearing on Sunday shows and late-night programming, stumping in South Carolina and at the Iowa State Fair, picking fights with President Trump and GOP legislative leadership and stepping up their TikTok game.
The big picture: There's no heir apparent in the Democratic Party, allowing anyone with a good resume or a touch of charisma to send up a presidential trial balloon.
Zoom in: Both Arizona politicians are Democrats who won in a swing state. Each is a combat veteran elected to the Senate under a banner of bipartisanship and both have embraced the spotlight in their short Senate careers.
- Kelly spent most of his professional life as an astronaut and naval pilot. He was thrust into politics after his wife, rising Democratic star and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot in 2011.
- Gallego's biography reads like the textbook definition of the "American dream." The son of immigrants, he was raised in poverty and went on to graduate from Harvard University.
State of play: Kelly and Gallego have both brushed off questions about their presidential aspirations, but neither has ruled out a run, allowing rumors — and attention — to build.
The latest: Kelly, whom Kamala Harris considered as a running mate last year, was the target of the president's social media rage last month after appearing in a video with other veteran lawmakers to call on military service members to disobey unlawful orders.
- Trump called the video "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH," and the Pentagon announced it was investigating Kelly for his participation.
- In response, Kelly has mounted a press campaign to show he won't be "silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution."
Meanwhile, Gallego this week released a national energy plan, the latest signal he may be eyeing a bigger seat.
- In recent months, he's taken to national TV, podcasts and print publications, opining as to why he was elected last year while many Democrats, including Harris, were not.
What they're saying: "What's most important to Mark right now is protecting the rights and freedoms of all Americans and fighting back against efforts to jack up health care premiums for thousands of Arizona families," Kelly's campaign spokesperson Jacob Peters said in a statement.
- Gallego's campaign declined to comment on this story.
The other side: Neither senator is without challenges that could be used against them.
- When Kelly was considered for VP, his former business ties to Chinese tech company Tencent resurfaced.
Though part of Gallego's allure is his no-nonsense style, his famously quick tongue could get him in trouble.
- Last month, leaked text messages revealed him saying Democrats were not "allowing men to [be] men" or "women to be hot."
Reality check: The highest office has never panned out for an Arizonan.
- "Arizona is the only state in America where mothers don't tell their children that someday they can grow up and be president of the United States," former U.S. Rep. Mo Udall (a failed Arizona presidential candidate) famously said.
What we're watching: Even if neither Kelly or Gallego launches a formal presidential campaign, they're raising their national profiles, which will likely help with fundraising and potentially open doors for a vice presidential role or cabinet post.