United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, who was born in Karachi, is weighing a run for the White House in 2028. The Maryland Democrat said he is exploring a presidential campaign after ruling out a bid to lead Senate Democrats.
Van Hollen told Fox 5 DC that he had no interest in the Senate leadership post. “I’ve made clear that I’m not looking to be the next Democratic leader. I’ve been kicking the tires on a 2028 presidential election,” he said.
The remarks came days after Democrats swept the midterm elections on November 3. Van Hollen had been seen as a possible successor to Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader. Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed had backed him for the post, but Van Hollen has now closed that door and turned his attention to the White House instead.
Why Chris Van Hollen matters for Pakistan
Van Hollen was born in Karachi on January 10, 1959, the son of an American foreign service officer. His official biography confirms the port city as his birthplace.
In a message to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day last year, he said he was proud to have been born in Karachi and described his connection with the country as special. “Throughout my life, I have experienced first-hand the generosity, the goodness and the determination of the Pakistani people,” he said. “I am proud to celebrate the strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.”
His record in the Senate includes several direct engagements with Pakistan. In 2021, he thanked Pakistan among the countries that helped evacuate American nationals and others stranded in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. After the devastating floods of 2022, he met then-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to discuss how the United States could keep helping flood-affected people.
In February 2024, he wrote to Pakistan’s then-envoy, Ambassador Masood Khan, and urged the authorities to fully investigate allegations of fraud and electoral interference in the February 8 general elections. He said respecting the people’s mandate was the only way a new government would be empowered to tackle issues such as negotiating a new IMF agreement and investing to limit future floods.
What happens next
Van Hollen has not announced a campaign. “Kicking the tires” means he is testing the idea, talking to advisers and weighing whether a run is viable. Reports said he expects to decide by early 2027 whether to run for president or seek re-election to the Senate, where his current term runs to 2029.
The Democratic field is still taking shape after the midterms. Vice President JD Vance is building his own brand for 2028 on the Republican side, while the midterms also produced a series of historic firsts and eight Muslim lawmakers in the new US Congress.
Van Hollen has also led efforts in the Senate to force votes on ending US involvement in the war in Iran. That stance connects with the war’s impact on Pakistan, a subject he has raised repeatedly in the chamber.
From Karachi to Capitol Hill
Van Hollen spent part of his early life in Pakistan and India. He studied at Kodaikanal International School in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu before moving to the United States for higher education.
He graduated in philosophy from Swarthmore College, earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University and later obtained a law degree from Georgetown University. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1990.
He served in the US House of Representatives from 2003 to 2017 and has been a member of the Senate since January 2017. If he enters the 2028 race, he would seek the Democratic nomination against a field that is still forming.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Chris Van Hollen born?
He was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 10, 1959. He is the son of an American foreign service officer, and his official biography confirms Karachi as his birthplace.
Is Chris Van Hollen running for president in 2028?
Not yet. He has said he is “kicking the tires” on a 2028 campaign, which means he is exploring a run. He has ruled out a bid to become the next Democratic leader in the Senate.
What has Van Hollen said about Pakistan?
He has described his connection with Pakistan as special and said he is proud to have been born in Karachi. He has also thanked Pakistan for its help with evacuations from Afghanistan in 2021 and raised concerns about the February 2024 elections.
When will he decide?
Reports said he expects to decide by early 2027. His current Senate term runs to 2029.
Who is Chris Van Hollen?
He is the Democratic senator from Maryland, in office since January 2017, after serving in the House from 2003 to 2017.
