Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said Sunday he's actively exploring a 2028 presidential run, telling NBC's Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press" that he's already made trips to early-nominating states Iowa and New Hampshire.

"We need to be against the status quo, and that's why I've been kicking the tires as I look at 2028, because I don't think the Democratic Party has answered the call about how we're going to make sure we have an economy that really does work for everybody, especially working people," Van Hollen said, according to a transcript published by NBC News.

"I very much want to be part of that debate, and I am kicking the tires, testing the waters," he added, per The Hill. Asked whether he might instead seek the Senate Democratic leader post, Van Hollen said his focus "is not on majority leader" but on "what Democrats stand for going into 2028."

A crowded, still-fluid field

Van Hollen, 67, Maryland's senior senator since 2017 and a member of the Foreign Relations, Appropriations, Budget and Banking committees, joins a growing list of potential 2028 Democratic contenders that includes Gov. Gavin Newsom, Gov. Andy Beshear, Pete Buttigieg, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. Ruben Gallego and former Vice President Kamala Harris. A University of New Hampshire poll from July put Ocasio-Cortez at 22% and Buttigieg at 21% among state primary voters, with Harris down to just 5%, according to NOTUS — underscoring how open the race remains.

"DEMOCRATS NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR NOT JUST WHAT WE'RE AGAINST, BUT WHAT WE'RE FOR." — SEN. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

Van Hollen has also carved out a distinct lane on foreign policy, criticizing calls for "unconditional support" of the Israeli government and arguing Democratic candidates need to hold Israel accountable on human rights grounds.

No formal announcement or campaign timeline has been set. Expect continued scrutiny of Van Hollen's travel schedule to early states as the 2028 Democratic primary conversation takes shape.