Combative Dem Star Hints at 2028 Presidential Run

Senator Ruben Gallego says Democrats must win back Latino voters to succeed in 2028.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:36pm

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Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, has revealed that he is considering a run for president in 2028. Gallego, a Marine veteran who became the first Latino senator to represent Arizona, believes that the key to winning in 2028 will be to win back the Latino vote, which saw a significant shift towards the Republican party in the 2024 election.

Why it matters

Gallego's potential presidential run and his advice for Democrats highlight the ongoing battle for the Latino vote, which has become an increasingly important and contested demographic in US politics. His comments also suggest that the Democratic party is grappling with how to appeal to working-class Latino voters who may have felt alienated by some of the party's more progressive rhetoric.

The details

Gallego told NBC News that 'no matter who runs, even if it's not me, the candidate that wins in 2028 is going to have to get the Latino vote back to at least 62 percent.' He believes that the Democratic party needs to focus on making the American dream more accessible and moving away from 'abolish ICE' rhetoric that has become popular in some segments of the party. Gallego also called for immigration reform, saying that 'we know there needs to be an immigration force that deports bad people.'

  • Gallego revealed his potential presidential run in an interview with NBC News on April 5, 2026.
  • Gallego became the first Latino senator to represent Arizona after defeating Trump ally Kari Lake in the 2024 election.

The players

Ruben Gallego

A Democratic senator from Arizona and a Marine veteran who became the first Latino senator to represent the state after defeating Trump ally Kari Lake in the 2024 election.

Kari Lake

A former television anchor and outspoken Trump supporter who was defeated by Gallego in the 2024 Arizona Senate race.

Donald Trump

The former president who saw a significant shift in Latino support in the 2024 election, receiving a record 48% of the Latino vote.

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What they’re saying

“'Obviously, like any other elected official, especially ones that won red states in 2024, we have to look at it,'”

— Ruben Gallego, Senator

“'If you want this country to do better and be best, and you want to be the best in the world, then you need to invest in Latinos. We are the future, we are the population, we are the market, we are the workers, we are the consumer.'”

— Ruben Gallego, Senator

“'If you talk to working-class Latinos, we're very, unfortunately, we have too much experience with immigration. We know there needs to be an immigration force that deports bad people,'”

— Ruben Gallego, Senator

What’s next

Gallego remains uncommitted to a presidential run at this time, but his comments suggest that he is seriously considering the possibility. The 2028 election will be a crucial test for the Democratic party as they work to win back the Latino vote.

The takeaway

Gallego's potential presidential run and his advice for the Democratic party highlight the ongoing battle for the Latino vote, which has become an increasingly important and contested demographic in US politics. The party will need to find a way to appeal to working-class Latino voters who may have felt alienated by some of the party's more progressive rhetoric.