As he increasingly signals interest in a 2028 presidential run, Sen. Mark Kelly is building goodwill across the Democratic map — even if he’s not changing the minds of his fiercest critics in the Trump world.
With Democrats eyeing a path to flip both the House and Senate in 2026, Kelly has leaned into his new role as a top target for President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, dramatically expanding his political giving and fundraising footprint. Last year, he steered nearly $5 million to competitive candidates, party committees, and state parties, according to figures shared with POLITICO.
Ever since Trump attacked Kelly and other national security-focused Democrats in late November — including a Truth Social post accusing them of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH” — Washington’s biggest question has been how much Kelly could benefit from being cast as a national foil. That spotlight only intensified when Hegseth announced an investigation involving Kelly.
Kelly’s full fundraising totals aren’t yet available. But the money he has already raised and distributed suggests this is only the beginning. Combined with the attention Trump has directed his way, Kelly is increasingly positioned as a major Democratic fundraiser for 2026 — and someone with a ready-made platform to cultivate a national base ahead of 2028.
Kelly made more than $1 million in direct contributions and transfers to Democrats nationwide, bringing his direct contributions total to more than $1.4 million for 2025. That included $100,000 each to the DCCC and DSCC, along with more than $280,000 combined to the DNC and state parties. In the Senate ecosystem, the DSCC vice chair has raised or contributed more than $2.3 million for the committee since the start of last year. He also generated $1 million for other Democrats in the fourth quarter alone, backing fundraising pushes through emails, text messages, and ads.
He spread his support widely, making direct contributions to roughly 30 state parties — including in early nominating states that could matter in 2028, such as Iowa, Michigan, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. Kelly also traveled to build relationships on the ground: two visits to South Carolina, one to Michigan, and additional stops in Nevada.
“There’s definitely a message there that resonates with Nevada voters across the board,” Nevada Democrats Chair Daniele Monroe-Moreno told POLITICO. She said Kelly drew a diverse crowd to the event he attended and credited him with helping energize the state party. “So yes, I know there’ll be a number of people that will probably throw their hat in the ring, but he has definitely sparked the interest of some Nevada voters.”
Kelly’s schedule has included off-year election support trips to North Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia — the kind of party-building travel that often doubles as early national infrastructure for higher ambitions. “Senator Kelly is working overtime to support Democrats running in tough races because he knows that taking back the House and Senate is critical to holding Trump accountable and delivering relief from rising costs for American families,” said Jacob Peters, a Kelly spokesperson.
The pattern is becoming clear: Trump’s attention can act like political rocket fuel for the opposition — especially for someone testing the runway toward a presidential campaign. Kelly’s rising profile mirrors what happened for California Gov. Gavin Newsom last year, underscoring Trump’s unusual ability to elevate Democratic figures by treating them as prime adversaries. In the process, Trump can also shape — and narrow — the Democratic field simply by choosing who to target.
“I’m sure that will be something we want him to do” as the 2028 race approaches, one Republican close to the White House told Playbook, while cautioning that it’s still early.
But inside Republican circles, there’s debate about whether elevating Democratic foils is actually a smart strategy for holding the White House.
“Newsom is a perfect foil because his record is so horrendous,” said Dave Carney, a veteran New Hampshire GOP political consultant. Carney argued Newsom shifts his message depending on the audience, presenting himself as moderate at times before retreating under pressure from the left. On Kelly, Carney was dismissive: “Kelly’s a press thing,” he said. “He’s not a real thing.”
Carney did, however, single out one Democrat he’d rather Trump not elevate: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
“He’s the first candidate in the history of America that I’m aware of where his vice presidential search in not being picked has helped him,” Carney said, pointing to Shapiro’s fundraising strength. “There’s a lot of assets he has.”
For Democrats, the upside of Trump’s attention comes with a risk: the targets can shift quickly. Trump’s ire — and his willingness to punish rivals — can create a rotating cast of “it” figures heading into 2028, reshaping the conversation month by month and forcing would-be contenders to navigate an unpredictable spotlight.
