Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen Eyes 2028 Run, Says Party Must Do More Than Oppose Trump

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat exploring a 2028 presidential bid, told a Washington summit this week that his party has failed to clearly articulate what it stands for and has focused too heavily on opposing President Donald Trump. His comments come as Iowa, a traditional first-in-the-nation caucus state, remains a key early proving ground for White House hopefuls.

Van Hollen, who has chaired both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, acknowledged the party's messaging problem during an interview at the Hill Nation Summit.

“I do think the Democratic Party needs to do more than tell people what we're not