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Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., argued that President Donald Trump is driving Democratic voters toward far-left candidates like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after the New York Democrat topped a recent 2028 presidential primary poll.
A recent New Hampshire poll found Ocasio-Cortez was the top choice among likely Democratic voters for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination. Kelly placed third with 9% support, behind Ocasio-Cortez and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, while ahead of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris. The poll comes as several self-described Democratic Socialists have defeated more moderate Democrats in recent primary elections, showing the growing influence of the party’s progressive wing.
Kelly has teased a run for president in 2028, recently saying in an NBC interview that it is part of an ongoing discussion with his family that he has “plenty of time” to decide on.
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“I don’t know about her message, but people are really struggling,” Kelly told Fox News Digital about why Ocasio-Cortez was Democrats top 2028 pick.
Fox News Digital asked Kelly why Ocasio-Cortez and other candidates associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are resonating with the Democratic voters ahead of upcoming election seasons.
“The policies of this president — supporting billionaires over hardworking people,” Kelly said. “1% of the country now owns more wealth than the middle class, and I think it’s a response to that.”
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In 2021, Federal Reserve data showed the top 1% of households now hold more wealth than the bottom 60% combined for the first time since the central bank began tracking the data in 1989.
Trump has defended his economic agenda as aimed at boosting middle-class Americans through tax relief and lower costs, pointing to efforts to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime pay and lower energy costs.
Kelly said voters’ frustration with Trump’s policies is driving support for candidates like Ocasio-Cortez, while also criticizing the president more broadly.
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“It’s unfortunate we have people like this running the government and I think people are really frustrated,” Kelly said about Trump to Fox News Digital.
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“I mean this president doesn’t prioritize anybody but him and his family,” Kelly said. “The corruption is just off the charts. “