MAULDIN, S.C. — Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly said Friday whether he enters the 2028 Democratic presidential race will not hinge on if former Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris enters the contest.
"No single individual is going to, regardless of who they are, is going to change my decision if I was to decide to do this," Kelly told reporters. "I've got to feel like I'm the right person at the right time, that this makes sense for the country, that this makes sense for me and my family."
At least five Democrats, who include Kelly, are making their way through South Carolina this month, trekking across the state — and raising their name ID — all while helping campaign and fundraise for state Democrats before the Nov. 3 midterms.
Other Democrats visiting South Carolina this month so far include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, California Congressman Ro Khanna, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Rahm Emanuel, whose held several titles that include Chicago mayor and chief of staff to former President Barack Obama.
Kelly's visit — his third to the state — included a stop Friday in the Upstate, then down to Charleston for the weekend where he said he and his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt 15 years ago, will help fundraise for Dr. Annie Andrews in her Senate race against Republican Sen. Darline Graham.
"I think she can win," said Kelly, who said his daughter in Tucson introduced him to Andrews's name more than a year ago.
"I think she has an opportunity to win," Kelly added, acknowledging South Carolina's red state status. "See where the momentum is in 32 days, that matters. But I think she can pull this out."
Andrews will face Graham and Libertarian Party candidate Kasie Whitener in an Oct. 11 debate hosted by SCETV. The debate will broadcast on SCETV and SC Public Radio and will be livestreamed on ETV's Facebook and YouTube pages.
