With the conflict in the Middle East intensifying, a new wave of Democratic candidates with military backgrounds is stepping into the national spotlight. Among them, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has emerged as a prominent voice, using his experience as an infantryman in Iraq to critique the current administration’s approach to foreign policy. Gallego, a 46-year-old combat veteran, has made numerous high-profile appearances, speaking out on the lack of clarity in military objectives and the toll of war on both service members and civilians.

Impact on Foreign Policy Messaging

The Democratic Party is now grappling with the question of whether a candidate with military service is essential to its national security messaging. Gallego, who deployed to Iraq in 2005, has spoken about the emotional and psychological toll of war, noting that the absence of a clear end goal has left lasting scars. ‘It leaves a mark on you, and you start seeing it happening again,’ he said in an interview with Playbook. ‘You don’t really think about the politics. You think about the people who are going to be potentially dying.’

Gallego is not alone in this movement. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a Navy captain who flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1990, has also made a series of media appearances. Similarly, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a U.S. Navy Reserve intelligence officer who served in Afghanistan, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a veteran of the Army’s 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan, have all used their military experience to comment on the current war in Iran and its economic and human costs.

The war in Iran has underscored the need for a Democratic candidate who can speak with credibility on foreign policy and national security. According to Doug Wilson, a former assistant secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and co-lead of Buttigieg’s 2020 foreign policy team, ‘The Iran war highlights the need for such a candidate. The Dems need a candidate who is seen as strong and tough—not in rhetoric or bravado political platitudes, but who conveys a sense of judgment and resolve with which voters connect instinctively.’

Rising Importance of Military Credentials

The current political climate has elevated the importance of military credentials for Democratic candidates. As the U.S. becomes increasingly involved in global conflicts, the ability to speak authoritatively on national security matters is becoming a significant asset. Gallego, who will participate in a town hall hosted by VoteVets Action in San Antonio, Texas, is part of a growing group of veterans who are positioning themselves as potential candidates for the 2028 presidential nomination.

The event, which will feature potential Democratic presidential candidates, aims to highlight ‘fresh voices to the national conversation—those who have worn the uniform and served alongside us, who connect with everyday Americans others can’t,’ according to a promotional video. Previous town halls have included Buttigieg and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, both of whom have military backgrounds.

However, not all Democratic candidates with military service are necessarily the best fit for the party’s messaging. Some, like Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), have criticized the current administration’s approach to war, calling it ‘a video game.’ Ossoff has argued that the White House’s treatment of the conflict has been disrespectful to service members and their families. ‘When American service members killed in action are returning to the United States in flagged-draped coffins, and even more Americans have lost limbs or suffered terrible brain injuries or are fighting for their lives, this White House treats war like a game, and it’s a disgrace,’ Ossoff said.

Gallego acknowledged the potential benefit of military service for a candidate but emphasized that it is not a prerequisite. ‘I’m not the type of person that’s like, ‘you have to be a veteran—Iraq War veteran,’ Gallego said. ‘This is a democracy. We’re still one, and there’s a lot of people that can bring valuable experience and knowledge. But you know, someone that actually has a detailed understanding of foreign policy; that doesn’t go to the total knee-jerk reactionism that sometimes we see where we go to the point of, you know, isolationism; or the other way, where we go to, like, full neocon. There needs to be a very balanced way to how we approach the world.’

Broader Implications for the 2028 Race

The growing emphasis on military credentials is not without its challenges. While the Democratic Party may benefit from having candidates with national security experience, the same could be true for the Republican Party, which has its own slate of veterans. For example, Vice President JD Vance, a Marine Corps veteran from the Iraq War, and former Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has experience in foreign policy, could pose a formidable challenge to any Democratic candidate without a similar background.

However, the current geopolitical climate may favor Democratic candidates with military service. As the U.S. continues to engage in multiple conflicts around the world, the ability to articulate a coherent and strategic approach to national security is becoming increasingly important. Matt Bennett, co-founder of the center-left think tank Third Way, acknowledged this trend, noting that ‘It’s gonna be a big part of what they’re talking about for the next little while. But you know, how long does it last? We just don’t know, right? In my professional lifetime, foreign policy stuff and national security has mattered in a presidential race once—in 2004. That’s it. Otherwise, it comes up, but it’s not driving the conversation.’

The war in Iran has also had tangible economic consequences. According to a report by POLITICO’s E&E News, the conflict is driving up the prices of a wide range of products, from semiconductors to party balloons, due to the blockage in the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly a third of the global helium and fertilizer supply passes through this critical waterway, and the disruption has already begun to affect industries that rely on these resources.

The White House has acknowledged the impact of the conflict on the economy, with spokesperson Anna Kelly stating that ‘these impacts are temporary, and the best is yet to come for our great farmers.’ However, the economic toll of the war is already being felt by consumers and businesses alike, and the long-term effects remain uncertain.

As the 2028 presidential race approaches, the role of military service in shaping a candidate’s appeal will likely continue to be a topic of discussion. Whether or not a veteran becomes the Democratic nominee, the conversation around national security and foreign policy will remain at the forefront of the political discourse.