Sen. Ruben Gallego: Rising Democratic Star Eyes 2028 Presidential Run

Under the shade of Miami’s palm trees, Senator Ruben Gallego mingled with churchgoers, extending warm greetings and distributing flyers in a vibrant Dominican neighborhood. This Arizona senator, though not mentioning his title, introduced himself as he rallied support for a Democratic candidate in the city’s mayoral race.

Gallego, whose presence has become increasingly vital for the Democratic Party, is on a mission to reclaim Latino voters who shifted in 2024 towards former President Donald Trump. His efforts span from New Jersey to Florida, campaigning for Democrats who secured victories, and positioning himself as a rising star as the party eyes the 2028 presidential race. Despite not being as widely recognized as figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom or U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, strategists are taking notice of Gallego’s potential.

“Ruben Gallego is going to be our not-so-secret, secret weapon,” commented Maria Cardona, a seasoned Democratic operative and member of the Democratic National Committee.

A Surrogate in High Demand

Gallego is among the prominent Democrats considered as potential contenders for 2028, with a particularly packed schedule in 2025. His campaign activities took him to support female Democratic candidates in New Jersey’s and Virginia’s gubernatorial races, as well as Miami’s mayoral contest. Chuck Rocha, who spearheaded Latino mobilization efforts for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential bid and Gallego’s 2024 campaign, noted, “Ruben brings instant validation to them not only because his last name is Gallego. He’s risked his life for his country, he grew up in an immigrant household from nothing, and now he’s a U.S. senator.”

In the 2024 presidential election, Trump made inroads in areas with significant Latino populations by emphasizing economic issues and border security. However, recent election outcomes indicate that key demographics, such as Hispanics, are moving away from Republicans. Notably, in Miami, Eileen Higgins became the city’s first Democratic mayor in nearly three decades.

Gallego emphasized the importance of engaging Latino communities, stating to The Associated Press in Miami, “We’re going to places where there’s big Latino populations. Obviously, they swung a little too much in our opinion toward Trump last time, and we wanna talk to Democrats and we wanna talk to Latinos, we wanna talk to candidates about how to get that population back into our corner.”

Gallego’s own political successes include outperforming Vice President Kamala Harris in Arizona during the 2024 election, where he won a Senate seat by over two points, while Trump carried the state by nearly six points. Despite acknowledging Trump’s border security efforts, Gallego positions himself as a champion for the working class, a perspective he shared at a recent event.

How Affordability is Personal

Gallego’s journey from poverty in Chicago’s Evergreen Park to Harvard University, and eventually the Marines, underscores his deep understanding of economic struggles. Raised by a single mother after his father’s imprisonment, Gallego’s early experiences included working multiple jobs during high school to help make ends meet. Democratic strategist Jesse Lehrich noted, “All of the Democrats are now talking about affordability, affordability, affordability. But how many of those actually know what it feels like to not know where the next rent check is going to come from?”

Lehrich, who monitors the movements of 2028 presidential hopefuls, observed that Gallego stands out as a relatable figure among Democrats, offering a raw, unpolished demeanor that resonates with many. This authenticity, contrasting with more polished figures like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, may serve Gallego well in the current political climate.

“He kind of feels perfect for the moment,” Lehrich stated.

A Latino on the GOP Side

Concerns arise among strategists about the Democratic Party’s track record of promoting Hispanic candidates to national prominence, especially as the Republican Party considers figures like former senator and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio for upcoming elections. Political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa emphasized Gallego’s appeal not only to Latino voters but also across battleground states, underscoring the significance of his Senate victory.

“I think him winning a very tough seat has catapulted him to the top,” Hinojosa remarked. “Democrats need to think through how we need to think about Latinos if Republicans have a Latino on the ticket and Democrats don’t.”

While the prospect of a 2028 presidential bid looms, Gallego remains focused on his current role. “My calculation is I have three kids. And I have six years in the Senate,” he shared. “We’re going to focus on that, and we’re here to help Democrats all across the country, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”