Chris Van Hollen

Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen is “kicking the tires” regarding a potential run for president in 2028.

Van Hollen did an interview with the “On NOTUS” podcast where he was asked about a trip he took to New Hampshire.

“I went to New Hampshire because I was invited, but I would say, kind of kicking the tires a little bit,” he said during the interview, according to The Hill newspaper.

Van Hollen made news lately for defending Graham Platner, the Democratic Senate nominee for Maine.

Platner has had many scandals including insulting social media posts and getting a tattoo with Nazi associations.

“He’s been very clear that he went into combat on behalf of the United States,” Van Hollen said during an interview with Punchbowl News. “He went through a really tough period. PTSD-type period. And he has himself said there are lots of things he’s done and said that he completely regrets, and I do believe people should have second chances and that people can learn from their mistakes, and I think he’s been doing that.”

If Van Hollen decided to launch a presidential bid, he could potentially end up competing against fellow Democrats California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

“It’s pretty clear that operating from within the confines of the halls of Congress is not a successful recipe for actually getting change, because, too often, we are a bubble,” Van Hollen said during the NOTUS interview.