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Sen. Chris Van Hollen ‘Testing the Waters’ for 2028 White House Bid

August 31, 2026

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen is exploring a potential 2028 presidential campaign, emphasizing his desire to challenge the Democratic Party's status quo and advocate for working-class families. He has already begun visiting early primary states like New Hampshire and Iowa while endorsing progressive candidates in recent Senate primaries. Van Hollen argues that Democrats need to present a clearer alternative to the Trump administration and develop economic policies that genuinely benefit working people.

Who is affected

  • Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen
  • Democratic Party members and leadership
  • Working families and working-class Americans
  • Progressive candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Peggy Flanagan
  • Kilmar Abrego Garcia (Maryland resident wrongly deported)
  • Federal workers
  • Other potential 2028 presidential candidates (Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pete Buttigieg, JB Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, Raphael Warnock)
  • Maryland Governor Wes Moore
  • Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee member Ian Miller

What action is being taken

  • Van Hollen is visiting early primary states (New Hampshire and Iowa)
  • Van Hollen is endorsing progressive candidates in Senate primaries
  • Van Hollen is introducing legislation to strip presidential control of the D.C. National Guard, expand Social Security, and protect federal workers
  • Barry O'Connell is launching a social media effort to support Moore for President
  • Governor Wes Moore is traveling to states like South Carolina and Michigan to support Democratic candidates

Why it matters

  • This matters because it signals a potential shift within the Democratic Party toward more progressive policies focused on working families and challenging the political status quo. Van Hollen's exploratory efforts reflect broader dissatisfaction within Democratic ranks about the party's messaging and policy alternatives to the Trump administration. The early jockeying for the 2028 presidential nomination will shape the party's direction and policy priorities for years to come, particularly regarding economic issues affecting working-class Americans.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer