IN FOCUS - Sept. 25, 2026

Visits to Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and other states early in the 2028 nomination calendar? Check.

Glossy profile pieces in national publications? Check.

Meetings with organized labor and other vital constituencies? Check.

Arizona’s Democratic Senators appear to be readying campaigns for President. Yes, both of them.

U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego are regularly included among a short list of 2028 White House contenders, and each has acknowledged their interest in the job. 

“This is a decision I’m going to make after the election,” Sen. Kelly told ABC 15 this week. 

In July, Sen. Gallego made his campaign pitch to KTAR: “There’s only a couple of Democrats that are thinking of running for President that have won red states. I’m one of them. There’s only a couple of Democrats who can speak to working-class Democrats. I’m one of them.”

It was a rocky summer for Sen. Gallego, who endured criticism for his connection to embattled former Congressman Eric Swalwell, as well as questions about his own behavior with congressional staff and use of political funds. The Arizona Republic explored those issues this week under a story headlined: “Is Ruben Gallego still viable for President in 2028 despite baggage?”. Ouch. 

After laying low in recent months, Sen. Gallego recently reemerged with activities in Texas and Nevada. One political adviser put a positive spin on the turmoil, proclaiming him “the first 2028 candidate who's been fully vetted.”

For now, the only thing stopping Sens. Kelly and Gallego from formally jumping into the 2028 Race for the White House is the calendar. It’s unlikely any major candidate would announce their intentions before the November election is complete.

But, once Nov. 3 is behind us, all bets are off. And as one potential Democratic rival remarked this week, “life doesn’t wait for you to be ready.”