Vance has emerged as the strongest early contender, with several Republican delegates viewing his position as Trump’s vice president and close association with the president
Vice President JD Vance is increasingly being seen as a leading contender to succeed President Donald Trump, but Republican voters and delegates are far from settled on who should carry the party’s banner in 2028.
DeSantis, who challenged Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024, also retains support. Because of his current role and close association with Trump’s administration, some delegates said Vance was a natural choice.
Vance was front and centre at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where chants of “JD, JD, JD” and “48, 48, 48” broke out, the latter referring to the next US president. Trump also praised his vice president afterwards, calling him a “very talented guy” who “did a very good job. Peggy Stanton, a Houston retiree, said she had long believed Rubio would eventually become president. He totally understands international threats, the threats of communism,” Stanton said. Rochelle Brooks, a Dallas IT manager, said she would back the Florida governor if forced to choose now. “If I had to name somebody at this moment, if I was forced, I would say it’s the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis,” Brooks said. “What he’s done in Florida is a roadmap for what we need to do in America.”
Still, his position as a potential frontrunner was evident. Rubio has emerged as a particularly strong alternative to Vance among some Republicans. “He’s so knowledgeable. “Every single issue I hear him speak on, he gets it. He has charisma. I just feel like he would be a great president.