Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has publicly acknowledged he is exploring a run for the presidency in 2028, using the phrase 'kicking the tires' to describe his early-stage consideration of a campaign. The statement marks one of the earliest signals from a sitting Democratic senator regarding the wide-open 2028 primary field.
Van Hollen, who has served in the Senate since 2017 and previously chaired the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, has been a visible figure on foreign policy and civil liberties issues in recent years. His potential candidacy would enter a Democratic primary that currently lacks a clear frontrunner following the party's 2024 losses.
His potential entry into the race has prompted scrutiny of his political record and recent stances. Questions have arisen about his position on an endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America, according to The Hill, as well as his advocacy in cases involving immigration detainees, which right-leaning outlets have highlighted in their coverage of his prospective candidacy.
No formal campaign infrastructure has been announced, and Van Hollen has not committed to a run. The 2028 Democratic primary field remains largely unsettled, with several other potential candidates also being discussed at the national level.
Left-Leaning Emphasis
- NBC News frames Van Hollen's interest as a notable early signal in the 2028 Democratic primary, treating it as straightforward political news.
- Coverage from the left focuses on his Senate record and policy positions as relevant context for a presidential bid.
Right-Leaning Emphasis
- Daily Wire emphasizes Van Hollen's past advocacy on behalf of an individual described as an MS-13 suspect, framing it as disqualifying baggage for a presidential run.
- Breitbart focuses on Van Hollen's own words — the 'kicking the tires' phrase — to characterize the announcement as tentative and politically calculated.
- Right-leaning outlets use his immigration-related advocacy as a central frame for evaluating his candidacy, rather than his broader legislative record.