2028 Dem Veteran? Uncle Sam Wants You

Party considers candidates with military experience for 2028 presidential race

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:43pm

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As the Democratic Party looks ahead to the 2028 presidential election, there is a growing conversation about the potential need for a candidate with military experience to address issues of war and national security. Several high-profile Democrats with military backgrounds, including Rep. Ruben Gallego, Sen. Mark Kelly, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, have been raising their profiles and speaking out on these issues.

Why it matters

After many Democrats called for a 'metaphorical fighter' in recent elections, the party is now debating whether it needs a 'literal fighter' - a veteran who can speak with credibility on matters of war and national security. This comes as the potential 2028 Democratic nominee could face a Republican ticket deep with national security credentials.

The details

Gallego, a veteran who served in the Iraq War, has been outspoken about his experiences 'dodging bullets, IEDs, RPGs, clearing towns and then coming back to the same towns with insurgents' and 'losing friends and still not understanding what the end goal was the whole time.' He and other veteran Democrats like Kelly and Buttigieg have been making high-profile media appearances, leading some to believe the party is considering candidates with military backgrounds for 2028.

  • In March 2026, Gallego spoke to Politico about his military experience and its impact on his political views.
  • Later this month in March 2026, Gallego will join VoteVets Action for a town hall featuring potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates.

The players

Rep. Ruben Gallego

A Democratic congressman who served in the Iraq War and has been outspoken about his military experiences.

Sen. Mark Kelly

A Democratic senator from Arizona who is a Navy captain and flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1990.

Pete Buttigieg

A former Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer who deployed to Afghanistan.

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who served in Afghanistan in the Army's 82nd Airborne.

JD Vance

A potential Republican vice presidential candidate who is a Marine Iraq war veteran.

Marco Rubio

A potential Republican presidential candidate with secretary of state experience.

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What they’re saying

“It leaves a mark on you, and you start seeing it happening again, you know, you don't really think about the politics. You think about the people who are going to be potentially dying. And that's why I think I was not hesitant to speak my mind on that.”

— Rep. Ruben Gallego (Politico)

“On foreign policy, the Dems need a candidate who is seen as strong/tough — not in rhetoric or bravado political platitudes but who conveys a sense of judgement and resolve with which voters connect instinctively.”

— Doug Wilson, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Obama administration; Co-lead of Buttigieg's 2020 foreign policy team (Politico)

What’s next

The third town hall featuring potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates, including Gallego, will take place later this month in San Antonio, Texas.

The takeaway

The Democratic Party is grappling with the potential need for a 2028 presidential candidate with military experience who can speak credibly on issues of war and national security, as the party looks to counter a potential Republican ticket deep in national security credentials.