Mark Kelly

Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly will be the featured speaker at the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding, an event that historically has attracted future presidential candidates and other prominent national political leaders to the Hawkeye State.

Kelly is among a large group of Democrats eying a potential run for president in 2028.

And although Iowa Democrats no longer officially host their traditional first-in-the-nation caucuses, possible White House aspirants have nonetheless been making treks to the state in the leadup to what is expected to be a sprawling and wide-open presidential primary race.

Kelly recently told the New York Times that running for president is "a decision I’m going to have to make with my family."

"I’ve got plenty of time,” he said. “I also have to make a determination whether I think I can win.”

His appearance in Iowa follows recent visits from former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

The Wing Ding is hosted by Democrats in Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Floyd, Hancock, Kossuth and Winnebago counties.

The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at the historic Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, and tickets are available online at iowawingding.com.

“Iowans respect Kelly’s ongoing service to our country," Catherine Crooks, chair of the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding, said in a statement provided to the Des Moines Register. "We look forward to the message he’ll bring to this important annual gathering."

Kelly will be joined at the Wing Ding by Iowa Democratic candidates for office, including U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek, 2nd Congressional District candidate Lindsay James, 4th District congressional candidate Dave Dawson and candidates for other down-ballot races.

Kelly is a retired Navy combat veteran, engineer and NASA astronaut. He is married to former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, and he was first elected to the Senate in December 2020 to fill out the remainder of late U.S. Sen. John McCain's term. He was elected to a full six-year term in 2022.

He was slated to attend the Iowa Democratic Party's 2025 Liberty & Justice Dinner, but he had to deliver the address remotely from Washington, D.C., as Congress worked to end a government shutdown.

In that speech, Kelly touted his family’s Iowa ties — his wife’s brother was a kicker for Iowa State football — and gave a nod to the 2028 presidential race as well as the coming midterms.

“That’s why I’m grateful to be working alongside all of you to win in 2026 and 2028 so we can deliver for Americans in Iowa, Arizona and across the country,” he said.