Ruben Gallego travels to Pennsylvania amid 2028 shadow primary

Ruben Gallego Sets Sights on Pennsylvania Amid 2028 Speculation

This week, Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego embarks on a pivotal journey to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, an indication that his political aspirations may extend beyond the Senate as some Democratic circles speculate about a possible presidential run in 2028.

On May 10, Gallego will lead a town hall meeting in this crucial swing district, which President Donald Trump notably flipped in 2024, as per exclusive plans shared with POLITICO.

“Ruben Gallego truly resonates with the challenges faced by working-class Americans,” asserted Gallego’s chief of staff, Raphael Chavez-Fernandez. “His visit to Pennsylvania underscores his commitment to engage directly with voters about the fight for working-class families—because he has lived that struggle himself.”

Gallego is targeting the district represented by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a consistent target for Democrats, in a strategic move to highlight vulnerable Republicans amidst ongoing discussions about potential cuts to Medicaid and to push back against Trump’s budget proposal. This trip is part of a broader Democratic strategy to apply pressure on Republicans who might waver on critical social safety net programs.

Gallego joins a growing list of prospective Democratic contenders ramping up their visibility in what is shaping up to be a shadow primary season well ahead of the 2028 elections. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is also on the campaign trail, hosting a town hall with veterans in Iowa this month, following his previous success in the state’s 2020 caucuses. Meanwhile, Maryland Governor Wes Moore is set to make an appearance at a premier Democratic dinner in South Carolina, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker recently visited New Hampshire to deliver a keynote address.

Gallego, a rising star within the Democratic Party, made significant strides in 2024, outperforming expectations particularly among Latino voters, a demographic where he eclipsed former Vice President Kamala Harris. He has previously articulated to POLITICO that part of his success can be attributed to rejecting the Democratic narrative that leaned towards a lax enforcement of immigration policies.

His supporters argue that Gallego’s authentic narrative—rooted in his humble beginnings as a child raised by a single mother, working his way through Harvard as a janitor, and serving in the Marine Corps during the Iraq War—resonates with voters, especially at a time when Democrats are grappling with outreach to working-class constituents.

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin aptly described Gallego as “a critical voice for the Democratic Party,” emphasizing the importance of his message in these politically charged times.