Karachi-born US senator eyes 2028 presidential race

US Senator Christopher Van Hollen, who is reportedly considering a run for the White House in 2028, has a personal connection with Pakistan, having been born in Karachi in 1959.

The Maryland Democrat’s birthplace is listed in his official biography on Maryland Manual Online, a website maintained by the state government. Van Hollen has also spoken publicly about his links with Pakistan and his appreciation for its people.

In a message released on Pakistan’s Independence Day last year, the senator said he was proud to celebrate the country’s 79th Independence Day. He described his birthplace as the source of a “special connection” with Pakistan, explaining that he was born in Karachi while his father was serving as an American foreign service officer.

Van Hollen said he had experienced the generosity, kindness and determination of the Pakistani people throughout his life. He also highlighted the strong people-to-people relationship between Pakistan and the United States and expressed his desire to further strengthen friendship between the two nations.

The senator previously acknowledged Pakistan’s assistance in 2021, thanking the country and several others for helping evacuate American citizens and other people stranded in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.

Although born in Pakistan, Van Hollen also spent part of his early life in India. He attended Kodaikanal International School in Tamil Nadu before moving to the United States for higher education.

He earned a philosophy degree from Swarthmore College and later completed a master’s degree in public policy at Harvard University. He then obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1990.

Van Hollen entered the US Senate in January 2017. Before that, he represented Maryland in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2017.

His name has also featured in discussions about the future leadership of the Democratic Party. Following the Republicans’ strong performance in the recent midterm elections, speculation emerged that he could replace Chuck Schumer as the party’s Senate leader.

However, Van Hollen dismissed the possibility of taking over the leadership role in an interview with Fox 5. He said he was not seeking to become the next Democratic leader and had instead been exploring the possibility of contesting the 2028 presidential election.