The senior officials who will threaten Vance: How the Republican defeat reopens the presidential race | Amichai Stein
The Republican defeat in the midterm elections reopens the 2028 presidential race. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was the natural candidate to succeed Trump, now faces potential challengers such as Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, and Ted Cruz, who see the loss as a political opportunity.
The Republican defeat in the midterm elections shakes the Trump administration and reopens the presidential race ahead of the 2028 primaries. Vice President J.D. Vance, who until now was considered the natural heir of the MAGA movement, now faces a series of Republicans who see the loss as a political opportunity. Newt Gingrich suggested Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a candidate, and also mentioned Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Tom Cotton, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. DeSantis, whose term as governor ends on January 5, did not rule out running and presented Florida as an exception in the political landscape. Ted Cruz criticized Trump's tariff policy and the war in Iran, and called for working with Democrats. The central question is whether the loss requires deepening the MAGA revolution or adapting it to American reality.