Van Hollen Weighs 2028 Presidential Bid

Maryland Senator Christopher Van Hollen says he is considering a run for president in 2028 but is not seeking to lead Senate Democrats.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Elections

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Democratic U.S. Senator Christopher Van Hollen is considering a bid for the 2028 presidential election, he told Fox 5. He has said he is not looking to become the next Democratic leader in the Senate.

Why it matters

A sitting senator from Maryland weighing a presidential run signals early positioning for the 2028 Democratic field. His stated decision to forgo Senate leadership shapes how his ambitions fit within the party's congressional structure.

Van Hollen has been a U.S. Senator since January 2017 and previously served in the U.S. House from 2003 to 2017. He has told Fox 5 he is weighing a 2028 presidential run but has not announced a candidacy.

The players

Christopher Van Hollen

Christopher Van Hollen is a Democratic U.S. Senator from Maryland who has served in the Senate since 2017 and previously in the House from 2003 to 2017.

The details

Van Hollen told Fox 5 that he has been kicking the tyres on a 2028 presidential election and has made clear he is not looking to be the next Democratic leader. Born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1959 to an American foreign service officer, he was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1990.

1959: Van Hollen is born in Karachi, Pakistan.
1990: Van Hollen is admitted to the Maryland Bar.
2003 to 2017: Van Hollen serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.
January 2017: Van Hollen begins his U.S. Senate tenure.
2028: The presidential election Van Hollen is considering.

Political Context

Early consideration of a presidential run by a sitting senator, years before an election, follows a pattern common among congressional members testing national viability. Van Hollen's explicit rejection of Senate Democratic leadership marks a choice between congressional leadership and a national campaign.

For voters, early moves toward a 2028 presidential bid signal which candidates may enter the Democratic primary field. Readers following the race can track formal announcements as they occur.

The takeaway

Early presidential considerations by senators offer a preview of potential 2028 contenders, though no candidacy has been formally declared. Watching for official announcements will clarify the field.