Could a former Space Shuttle commander navigate the turbulent skies of American politics to become the next commander-in-chief?
The Hill reported that with the 2028 presidential election set for November 7, 2028, speculation is already heating up about potential contenders, from President Trump’s endorsed Republican duo of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to emerging Democratic figures like Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona.
Let’s start with the Republican side, where Trump has thrown his weight behind a so-called dream ticket. “We have JD, obviously, the great vice president. Marco’s great,” Trump declared, suggesting their pairing could be “unstoppable."
But let’s not kid ourselves— endorsements from a lame-duck president, especially one whose influence waned in recent off-year election results, might not carry the weight Trump hopes. Republican and Independent primary voters could easily balk at a preordained ticket, especially if they sense an overreach of executive meddling.
On the other side of the aisle, the Democratic field promises a fiercer battle, assuming no major disruptions before the 2028 vote. While California Gov. Gavin Newsom tops lists like The Hill’s recent ranking of Democratic hopefuls, bolstered by a recent redistricting victory, there’s a dark horse gaining traction.
Enter Sen. Mark Kelly, a name absent from The Hill’s top 10 but increasingly whispered in political circles. This Arizona Democrat, a centrist voice in the Senate, was recently involved in bipartisan talks to avert a government shutdown alongside eight other senators.
Kelly’s resume reads like a blockbuster script— a naval aviator with 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, a test pilot, and a NASA astronaut who commanded two of his four Space Shuttle missions between 2001 and 2011. Before politics, he logged 375 carrier landings; now, he’s testing the political runway.
His personal story adds depth to the dazzle— in 2011, Kelly retired from NASA to support his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, after she survived a horrific shooting in Tucson that claimed six lives and injured 12 others. That kind of loyalty resonates with voters tired of polished, self-serving politicians.
Kelly’s political chops aren’t untested either; he won a tight Senate race in 2020 to fill the late Sen. John McCain’s term and narrowly secured reelection in 2022 with 51% of the vote. A potential 2028 Senate reelection bid in swing-state Arizona could complicate his presidential ambitions, but his battleground credentials are undeniable.
Signs of a presidential exploratory phase are popping up— Kelly’s been spotted in key early primary states like South Carolina, chatting with state legislators, and has appeared in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper pressed him on his intentions during a July 27 interview on “State of the Union,” asking point-blank if he’s considering a 2028 run.
Kelly’s coy response—“I’m not going to give you a yes or no answer”—only fuels the speculation. That’s politician-speak for “keep watching,” and with $7.9 million in campaign funds ready to shift to a presidential bid, as reported by Axios, he’s got the fuel to launch.
His Senate roles on the Armed Services and Intelligence committees further bolster his image as a steady hand in unsteady times. In an era where over half of Americans, per recent sentiment, worry about the erosion of democratic norms, Kelly’s military and astronaut background could scream stability to a jittery electorate.
Contrast that with the progressive agenda often dominating Democratic primaries, and Kelly’s centrist stance might just be the antidote to voter fatigue over ideological extremism. He’s not pushing radical overhauls; he’s the guy who flew missions in space and war—hard to paint as a woke warrior.
Still, the road to 2028 won’t be a smooth orbit. The Democratic nomination fight is expected to be intense, and while Kelly’s bio is compelling, he’s up against heavyweights like Newsom, who already dominate the spotlight.
