Senator Gallego Brings Latino Energy to Miami, Eyes 2028

On a warm Sunday morning in Miami, Sen. Ruben Gallego stepped out of a car and approached parishioners exiting a church beneath palm trees, handing out flyers in a Dominican neighborhood. He left some staff members behind, drumming up support for a fellow Democrat running to be the next mayor of the majority‑Hispanic city.

A Warm Welcome in a Dominican Neighborhood

“Mucho gusto,” Gallego said, Spanish for “nice to meet you.” He introduced himself as “Soy Ruben Gallego de Arizona,” omitting the fact that he is a U.S. senator. The gesture was part of a broader effort to connect with Latino voters in a city that has recently elected its first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years.

The Surrogate’s Rising Profile

Gallego is emerging as a crucial surrogate for a party that lost Latino support in 2024 with President Donald Trump’s election. His fall travels have taken him to New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections. Strategists say he is flexing his muscle as a rising star while also laying groundwork for a 2028 presidential run, even though he is not yet a household name like California Gov. Gavin Newsom or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez.

Maria Cardona’s Praise

Maria Cardona, a longtime Democratic operative and DNC member, described Gallego as “our not‑so‑secret, secret weapon.” She emphasized his ability to rally Latino voters in key swing areas.

Busy Calendar, Big Impact

Gallego was among the Democrats named as possible 2028 contenders who had the busiest travel calendar in 2025. He stumped for Democratic female candidates in New Jersey’s and Virginia’s gubernatorial races and for Miami’s mayoral race. Chuck Rocha, who mobilized Latinos for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in 2020 and for Gallego in 2024, said:

> “Ruben brings instant validation to them not only because his last name is Gallego… He’s risked his life for his country, grew up in an immigrant household from nothing, and now he’s a U.S. senator. That’s the kind of guy you want standing beside you talking to Latinos about why they should vote for this white woman.”

Shifting Latino Votes and Election Context

In the 2024 presidential election, Trump made inroads in heavily Puerto‑Rican areas of eastern Pennsylvania, turned South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley and improved his numbers along Florida’s Interstate 4 corridor by focusing on the economy and border security. Recent election results show key voting groups, including Hispanics, shifting away from Republicans.

Gallego told the Associated Press in Miami:

> “We’re going to places where there’s big Latino populations… Obviously, they swung a little too much in our opinion toward Trump last time, and we wanna talk to Democrats and we wanna talk to Latinos, we wanna talk to candidates about how to get that population back into our corner.”

A Personal Narrative of Hard Work

Gallego grew up in poverty in Chicago’s Evergreen Park and frequented Little Village, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood on the city’s southwest side. Raised by a single mother after his father left and was imprisoned for dealing drugs, he worked multiple jobs to help pay bills while still in high school. He was accepted to Harvard, joined the Marines, and fought in Iraq with a unit that sustained heavy casualties.

At a recent event, he said, “We need to be identified as someone who’s pro‑working class.” He also gave the Republican president credit for border‑security measures and, at times, praised Trump’s blunt style for not overthinking economic proposals when crafting populist messaging, citing ideas such as “no tax on tips.”

A Rough‑Around‑The‑Edges Appeal

Jesse Lehrich, a Democratic strategist, noted that many Democrats are talking about affordability, but few understand the uncertainty of not knowing where the next rent check will come from or how to pay for groceries. Lehrich added that Gallego can be “rough around the edges,” a trait that may resonate with voters craving authenticity. He contrasted Gallego’s style with more polished figures like Gov. Josh Shapiro or former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, suggesting that rawness could be an advantage.

The GOP’s Latino Presence

Some strategists and commentators worry that the Democratic Party has not done enough to elevate Hispanic candidates at the national level. They point to Republicans propping up former Latino senator, now Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who ran for president in 2016 and is often mentioned by Trump when talking about 2028.

Political commentator Xochitl Hinojosa said:

> “I think him winning a very tough seat has catapulted him to the top… Democrats need to think through how we need to think about Latinos if Republicans have a Latino on the ticket and Democrats don’t.”

2028 Ambitions: A Cautious Stance

When asked about a possible 2028 presidential bid, Gallego indicated it was too early to say. He explained:

> “My calculation is I have three kids. And I have six years in the Senate… We’re going to focus on that, and we’re here to help Democrats all across the country, and we’ll see what happens in the future.”

Key Takeaways

• Gallego’s Miami outreach highlights his focus on Latino voters in swing areas.
• His busy travel schedule and surrogate work position him as a rising star for a 2028 run.
• Personal background and raw‑edge appeal resonate with working‑class voters.

The story has been corrected to show Gallego grew up in Evergreen Park, not Little Village. As Democrats look to reclaim Latino support, Gallego’s blend of personal experience, campaign energy, and strategic travel may prove pivotal in the coming years.