Mark Kelly Raises $13 Million Amid Trump's 'Seditious Six' Attacks, Fueling Presidential Speculation
Key Takeaways
- Sen. Mark Kelly raised $13 million in Q1, 2026, with $22.3 million cash on hand
- Grassroots donations increased following Trump's 'Seditious Six' attacks
- Kelly's fundraising supports speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid
- He is using his fundraising prowess to support other Democrats in tough races
Mark Kelly Sees Significant Fundraising Boost Amid Trump's 'Seditious Six' Attacks
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has raised $13 million in the last three months, ending the first quarter of 2026 with $22.3 million in cash on hand in his campaign account. This substantial sum is notable for a candidate not up for reelection, and his campaign attributes the success to President Donald Trump's targeting of him as part of the so-called "Seditious Six".
Kelly's campaign told POLITICO that the recent haul is a continuation of the trend seen last quarter, where he raised $12.5 million, much of it after Trump accused him and other Democratic military veterans of being traitors. This increase in grassroots donations suggests that Trump's attacks have actually benefited Kelly and other targeted Democrats.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), also featured in the video, raised $928,000 since the beginning of the year, marking his largest quarterly fundraising haul of his career. This comes despite not being a top GOP target this year. Kelly's significant fundraising is likely to fuel speculation about his potential presidential ambitions, as he has expressed that he will "seriously consider" a 2028 bid.
Kelly is utilizing his fundraising prowess to support other Democrats facing tough races this year. His campaign and leadership PAC transferred $105,000 to the DSCC and made direct contributions to six candidates, including James Talarico, Julianna Stratton, and Mary Peltola. Kelly's campaign noted that 98 percent of his donations were under $100.
Mark knows that flipping Congress in November is how we hold Trump accountable and that's why he is campaigning in battleground states and supporting candidates with the resources to help them win tough elections,said Jacob Peters, Kelly's spokesperson.
Kelly also raised an additional $470,000 for his leadership PAC and $1.1 million for the DNC in 2026. As Kelly continues to build his war chest and expand his support for fellow Democrats, it remains to be seen how these efforts will influence his potential presidential run and the broader political landscape.