Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) said he was “kicking the tires” on a 2028 presidential run.

Van Hollen said, “Look, what happened in 2024 is that voters were so upset with the status quo that they they voted for a convicted felon, Donald Trump. And my view is Democrats need to really stand for something. We need to be against the status quo. And that’s why I’ve been kicking the tires, as I look at 2028, because I don’t think the Democratic Party has answered the call about how we’re going to make sure we have an economy that really does work for everybody, especially working people.”

Host Kristen Welker said, “You’ve been kicking the tires on 2028, meaning you’re thinking about running for president in 2028?”

Van Hollen said, “I’m kicking the tires, meaning I’ve been to New Hampshire. I was invited to go there. I was invited to go out to Iowa last summer. I think there’s a great deal of churning within the Democratic Party, and I support that. As I said, I think we need this healthy debate because I don’t think Democrats have put forward a clear alternative to the Trump administration.”

Welker said, “So bottom line, you’re mulling a potential run in 2028?”

Van Hollen said, “Bottom line, I think Democrats need to be very clear, not just what we’re against, but what we’re for. And I’m very much want to be part of that debate. And I am kicking the tires, testing the waters.”

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