BALTIMORE (WBFF) — As the adrenaline rush settles following the Democratic sweep across the country in this year’s midterm elections, Maryland’s senior U.S. Senator is eyeing what comes next for himself, and the Democratic Party.
In an interview with FOX45 News Thursday, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen says he expects to decide by early next year whether to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 and said he believes the Democratic Party needs a more populist economic agenda. Van Hollen also raised questions about whether his party’s current leadership is prepared to deliver the changes voters demanded in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
“This is not a leisurely process,” Van Hollen said when asked when he would decide between running for president and seeking reelection to his Senate seat in 2028.
“I’ve been to many states and I will continue to reach out to Marylanders, but also others around the country,” he said. “I would say this is a decision that needs to be made certainly by early next year at some point in that range.”
Van Hollen also confirmed he will attend next week’s What’s Next summit in Denver, an event expected to draw several prominent Democrats whose names have surfaced in discussions about the party’s 2028 presidential field.
The senator’s comments come just days after Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, setting up a divided government for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term.
“People all over the country came out to exercise their right to vote and clearly were demanding change,” Van Hollen said. “But I also think there was another message, which is that Americans want an economy that’s not rigged in favor of the very wealthy and big corporations and stacked against working people.”
As Democrats begin charting their course following the election, Van Hollen is also having conversations about his own political future and the direction he believes the party should take heading into 2028.
Van Hollen acknowledged speaking with veterans of former President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns when asked about a recent interview in which Obama’s 2012 campaign manager said he had spoken with 29 potential 2028 presidential contenders.
“I’ve certainly spoken to veterans of the Obama campaigns and I’ve spoken to a lot of people all over the country,” Van Hollen said.
He did not directly answer whether he was among the prospective candidates contacted by Obama’s former campaign manager.
Instead, Van Hollen said his conversations have focused primarily on voters who want significant changes in Washington.
“I think there’s a real sense that Washington has been in a bubble for too long,” he said. “I agree with them, and when they say that they don’t mean Republicans alone, they mean Democrats as well.”
Van Hollen’s potential presidential ambitions could put him in the same Democratic primary field as Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, whose name has also surfaced in discussions about the party’s future.
Asked whether he had discussed a possible presidential campaign with Moore, Van Hollen praised the governor but did not directly answer the question.
“I worked to reelect our terrific governor, Wes Moore and his lieutenant governor and other Maryland Democratic officials, and I’m glad the voters reelected them,” he said.
“Everybody who wants to sort of step forward and share their vision of the future with the American people should do that.”
Moore, who won reelection Tuesday, has also attracted national attention as Democrats begin considering potential presidential candidates.
Van Hollen’s Senate term expires in January 2029, meaning he faces a decision about his own political future ahead of the 2028 election cycle.
Current labels for the Democratic Party are outdated, Van Hollen said, like progressive or moderate. Instead, he argued those political labels no longer adequately describe the country’s challenges.
“I really think that we’re at a moment that is much more of a populist moment,” he said.
Van Hollen argued that concentrated economic power has allowed wealthy individuals and large corporations to shape policies at the expense of working Americans.
“We need to completely revamp that system,” he said.
Van Hollen also declined to commit to supporting Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer as the party prepares to assume control of the chamber in January.
The Maryland senator has ruled out seeking the leadership position himself, but said Democrats should first determine what they intend to accomplish with their new majority before choosing who will lead them.
“My view is that before we pick anybody to be the leader in the Senate, we need to have an open and honest discussion within our caucus about how we’re going to move forward,” Van Hollen said.
He identified ending the war in Iran and addressing the cost of living as two priorities that should shape those discussions.
When pressed on whether Democrats need new leadership, Van Hollen again avoided directly addressing Schumer’s future.
“I think the most important thing is that whoever is the leader, sign up to take some important steps and use our power responsibly but also boldly,” he said.
Asked how Democrats should balance lowering costs with investigating the Trump administration, Van Hollen said Congress can pursue both priorities simultaneously.
“You can have hearings to shine a spotlight on Trump corruption and how that corruption is hurting the American people,” he said.
When asked whether Democrats should pursue impeachment proceedings against Trump, Van Hollen did not directly endorse that approach. Instead, he emphasized oversight hearings and using Congress’ spending authority to address what he described as abuses within federal agencies.
On affordability, Van Hollen highlighted his proposal to eliminate federal income taxes for certain lower-income working Americans, funded through a surtax on individuals earning more than $1 million annually.
He also called for a wealth tax on billionaires and reiterated his support for a Medicare for All health care system.
“People in Maryland pay a property tax on their home every year,” Van Hollen said. “There’s no reason billionaires shouldn’t be paying a wealth tax.”
He also called for an end to the war in Iran, arguing that the conflict has contributed to higher costs for American consumers.
Van Hollen argued Democrats should pass legislation addressing economic concerns even if Trump ultimately vetoes those measures.
“We shouldn’t be calibrating what we do simply on whether Donald Trump is going to sign or not sign something.”
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.
This post was originally published on Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group.
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