Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is making waves on the campaign trail, but not just for his midterm efforts. The Arizona Democrat, who isn't up for reelection this year, has been crisscrossing the country—Kansas, Iowa, and now Georgia—to help fellow Democrats in tight Senate races. His travels have reignited speculation that he's laying groundwork for a 2028 presidential bid.
Kelly's recent swing includes a three-day stint in Georgia campaigning for Sen. Jon Ossoff, who faces a tough reelection fight against Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) in a state Trump carried. The pairing has Democrats buzzing about a possible Ossoff-Kelly ticket, a notion the National Republican Senatorial Committee quickly pounced on, accusing the duo of prioritizing presidential ambitions over their Senate duties.
“Mark Kelly will be campaigning alongside Jon Ossoff in Georgia this week for their shadow presidential runs, and Kelly is eyeing Ossoff as his running mate,” the NRSC said in a release, quoting Kelly's playful response to the speculation: “Hey, why'd you put it in that order?”
Kelly's rising profile comes as he sharpens his attacks on the Trump administration, particularly on military matters. This week, he called for an investigation into conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier that returned from a grueling 240-day deployment. Reports of poor mental health among crew members, including suicides, prompted Kelly to speak out on NPR, criticizing the administration for sending troops to war “without a strategic goal.”
This isn't Kelly's first clash with the Pentagon. Last year, he joined fellow Democrats in urging service members not to follow illegal orders during the controversy over Caribbean boat strikes, drawing a rebuke from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a misconduct review. Kelly leaned into the fight, and his allies joked about sending the administration a thank-you gift for boosting his profile.
Strategists say Kelly is playing the long game. “The biggest thing you can do in the off cycle is make friends, build a list and build a brand,” said Democratic strategist Steve Schale. “And Kelly is quietly doing all the right things.” Schale called Kelly “the most underrated guy in the field,” noting his proven ability to win in a swing state.
Kelly's war chest—roughly $25 million—and his willingness to spend it on other Democrats have endeared him to the party. Polling shows a 32% national favorability rating, with independents in Arizona viewing him especially favorably, according to pollster Mike Noble. “His challenge nationally isn't high negatives—it's that he's still not fully defined with a lot of voters,” Noble said.
Kelly hasn't committed to a 2028 run, telling WMUR earlier this year, “I have thought about it, but no decision yet.” But Democrats like strategist Eddie Vale argue he's already proving his mettle. “He definitely has the chops to both go head-to-head with Trump while also appealing to a broader universe of voters because he isn't just a partisan warrior,” Vale said.
The Georgia visit also underscores the escalating feud between Ossoff and Trump, with Ossoff recently calling the president a “draft-dodging crook” at a town hall. Kelly's presence amplifies that tension, as both senators position themselves as leading voices against the administration. Meanwhile, the NRSC's attacks suggest Republicans are taking the duo's potential seriously.
As the midterms approach, Kelly's dual role as surrogate and potential presidential contender keeps him in the spotlight. Whether he's building a ticket with Ossoff or simply building a brand, his actions are drawing attention from both parties.
