As the 2028 election looms, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is capturing the attention of Democratic voters with a clear, urgent message: saving democracy demands immediate action against Donald Trump’s political resurgence.
While Chris Murphy isn’t drawing stadium-sized crowds like Sen. Bernie Sanders or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, his grassroots strategy is striking a powerful chord. In a packed hall in rural North Carolina, Murphy’s straightforward approach is positioning him as a growing national figure among Democrats determined to protect democracy.
Murphy, alongside Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), has been staging town halls across Republican-held congressional districts. On Thursday, they campaigned in Rep. Richard Hudson’s North Carolina district — Hudson being a key GOP leader who has discouraged Republicans from engaging in town halls. In response, Murphy declared, “We are doing the job that these Republican congressmen and senators refuse to do.” His goal: mobilize Democratic voters in every corner of the nation.
As many Democrats scramble for a strategy to confront Trump’s momentum, Murphy has taken a different path — a relentless, personal campaign combining Senate floor speeches, frequent TV appearances, and intimate social media sessions. From his kitchen, cocktail in hand, Murphy discusses what he sees as “the billionaire takeover of our government made possible by the destruction of our democracy.”
Chris Murphy’s focus on direct voter connection seems to be paying off. Known for his tireless efforts to fight gun violence following the Sandy Hook tragedy, Murphy is now channeling that same energy toward mobilizing Democrats. His methodical messaging helped him raise around $8 million in the first quarter, putting him in competitive fundraising territory alongside Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez.
In an interview after the North Carolina event, Murphy said, “I’m not Bernie Sanders. I won’t pull 70,000 people, but I still have an obligation to build a national mobilization to save democracy.”
Frustrations within the Democratic Party have only increased after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer supported a Republican funding bill, leading to widespread disappointment among grassroots activists. Murphy was one of the few who opposed the bill, risking a government shutdown to stand firm on democratic principles.
“When voters see risk-averse behavior from their leaders, they are less likely to engage in the civil disobedience necessary to save democracy,” Murphy emphasized.
Despite his growing national profile and record-breaking fundraising, Murphy insists he isn’t eyeing a 2028 presidential run — yet. After Sen. Dick Durbin announced his upcoming retirement, speculation intensified, but Murphy remains focused on the present battle.
“There won’t be a 2028 election if we don’t win this fight now,” Murphy said passionately. “It’s not a political calculation. It’s a moral obligation.”
Local Democratic leaders, like Alamance County Party Chair Ron Osborne, are taking notice. Osborne admitted he hadn’t considered Murphy a serious presidential contender before but now sees real leadership: “He’s showing courage where others hesitate.”
Audience members like 78-year-old Terry Greenlund echoed that sentiment. “Murphy connects with people,” Greenlund said. “It’s time for a new generation to lead with fresh energy and ideas.”
At 51, Chris Murphy, a father of two teenagers, is part of that emerging new wave. He joked during the event that while he may not be as “cool” as 28-year-old Maxwell Frost, he’s aiming for “dad cool.”
Following stops in Michigan and Missouri, Murphy shows no signs of slowing down. Other Democrats like Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ro Khanna are joining him in red-state outreach, but Murphy’s laser-focus on the existential threat Trump poses to democracy distinguishes his efforts.
Murphy plans to invest his campaign funds strategically, supporting voter mobilization ahead of the crucial 2026 midterms and pushing back against GOP tax and spending cuts.
“The only way history shows we can stop an elected leader from destroying democracy is mass mobilization,” Murphy said. “Our party has made mistakes. If we don’t learn from them, we’re cooked.”
As the 2028 election approaches, Chris Murphy’s call to action is becoming impossible for Democratic voters to ignore.
