Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has revealed he is contemplating a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
During a recent conversation with NBC News, the first-term senator, a Marine Corps veteran and Harvard alumnus, highlighted the need for Democrats who secured victories in Trump’s 2024 states to assess their White House ambitions.
“Like any elected official, especially those winning in red states, we must consider it,” Gallego remarked. He reiterated the pivotal role of regaining the support of Latino voters, stressing that the Democratic candidate in 2028 must achieve at least 62 percent of that demographic.
“Regardless of who runs, that candidate must restore Latino support to at least 62 percent. That’s the minimum to be competitive,” he stated. He pointed out that the Democrats fell short in this area in 2024, contributing to their current political challenges.
Data from exit polls reported by NBC News showed that former Vice President Kamala Harris captured 51 percent of the Latino vote in 2024, compared to 46 percent for President Trump. This represents a significant decline from Joe Biden’s 2020 performance, where he garnered 65 percent.
When asked about the specifics of his potential campaign, Gallego explained that any decision would involve discussions with his family. “With three kids, we’re a young family, and future plans matter,” he noted, adding he would weigh his electoral chances against other contenders.
“I need to ensure I’m suited for this role. If someone else has a stronger chance, then I won’t pursue it out of ego,” he said.
In the interview, Gallego also addressed immigration policy, distancing himself from the “abolish ICE” stance taken by some fellow Democrats.
“Working-class Latinos often deal with immigration issues firsthand. We recognize the need for an enforcement agency to remove dangerous individuals,” he stated. “We want to prevent bad people from entering the country.”
Furthermore, he called for reforms to the federal immigration system, insisting on the necessity of enforcing immigration laws without abuse. “The idea of eliminating immigration enforcement altogether is unrealistic,” he concluded.
