US Senator Chris Van Hollen, who was born in Karachi, is considering entering the race for the White House in 2028, potentially bringing a Pakistan-born candidate into the contest for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

The Maryland senator has indicated that he is exploring a presidential campaign rather than seeking the position of Senate Democratic leader.

In an interview with Fox 5, Van Hollen said he was not interested in taking over the Senate leadership position and had been examining the possibility of running for president in 2028.

Van Hollen’s comments come as political attention begins shifting towards the next US presidential election. His name had also surfaced as a possible candidate to succeed Chuck Schumer as the Democratic leader in the Senate.

Born in Karachi on January 10, 1959, Van Hollen is the son of an American diplomat who was serving abroad at the time. He spent part of his childhood in South Asia, including Pakistan and India.

He attended Kodaikanal International School in India’s Tamil Nadu before returning to the United States for higher education. He later graduated from Swarthmore College, earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University and completed his law degree at Georgetown University.

Van Hollen began his political career in Maryland before winning a seat in the US House of Representatives in 2002. He served in the House from 2003 to 2017 before being elected to the Senate, where he took office in January 2017. He secured another six-year term in 2022.

The senator has previously acknowledged his birthplace and connection with Pakistan. In a message marking Pakistan’s Independence Day, he highlighted his Karachi roots and spoke about the personal significance of his connection with the country.

Although Van Hollen has expressed interest in the 2028 presidential race, he has not formally declared his candidacy.