Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken political opponents, is building an impressive fundraising operation that is fueling speculation he could launch a campaign for the White House in 2028.
With nearly $25 million in federal campaign accounts and millions more raised for fellow Democrats, Kelly has emerged as one of the party’s strongest financial players as Democrats prepare for the next presidential election cycle.
While Kelly says his immediate focus is helping Democrats perform well in the 2026 midterm elections, his growing political network and fundraising success have many political observers watching his next move.
“We can win back the House and the Senate, but it’s not going to be easy, and it takes resources, and I want to make sure that I do everything I can to help get people across the finish line,” Kelly told The New York Times.
According to his campaign, Kelly has helped raise and distribute approximately $10 million for Democratic candidates and party committees. His team says he has directed $2 million to the Democratic National Committee and another $3.5 million to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Kelly has also raised money for Democratic Senate candidates, including Roy Cooper in North Carolina and Mary Peltola in Alaska, further expanding his influence within the party.
His fundraising efforts accelerated after a public clash with President Trump over a video featuring Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers discussing military service members and unlawful orders.
Trump sharply criticized the lawmakers, accusing them of promoting “sedition.” He also shared a social media post suggesting that similar actions during George Washington’s presidency would have resulted in severe punishment.
The controversy continued as federal prosecutors reportedly sought an indictment against Kelly, but a Washington grand jury ultimately declined to bring charges. War Secretary Pete Hegseth also attempted to pursue disciplinary action against Kelly, a retired Navy captain, before a federal appeals court panel reportedly indicated the effort was unlikely to succeed.
Despite the political battle, Kelly’s fundraising has remained strong.
His campaign says he raised more than $25 million during the final quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 combined before adding another $5.6 million during the second quarter alone.
Kelly’s political fundraising network has also provided financial support to other Democratic candidates. His team says the effort has raised nearly $500,000 for military veterans and candidates with national security experience. Among those benefiting is Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), who has reportedly received more than $400,000 through fundraising assistance and direct contributions tied to Kelly’s political operation.
At the same time, Kelly has increased his appearances in politically important states that traditionally play major roles in presidential campaigns. He has traveled to Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Carolina and is scheduled to headline the Ohio Democratic Party’s annual dinner next month.
Those visits have only intensified speculation that he is laying the groundwork for a national campaign.
Although Kelly has not announced a run for president, he acknowledged that the possibility remains under consideration.
“If I was to do it, that’s something I think that certainly will help—I’ve never had a hard time raising money,” Kelly said.
He added that any decision would be made after discussions with his family and after determining whether he believes he has a realistic path to winning the presidency.
For now, Kelly continues to insist his focus remains on helping Democrats regain control of Congress. Still, his growing campaign war chest, expanding donor network, and frequent appearances in key battleground and early-voting states suggest he is positioning himself as a serious contender if he decides to enter the 2028 presidential race.
With Democrats searching for new national leadership after recent election setbacks, Kelly’s political future is likely to remain a closely watched story as the race toward 2028 begins to take shape.