A “surprising” new contender has surfaced in the early discussion surrounding the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, potentially disrupting expectations about Vice President JD Vance’s path to the White House.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has gained notable traction among Republican party activists and voters in early primary states, according to political analysts tracking the nascent campaign landscape.
CNN analyst Eric Bradner identified this development during recent observations in Iowa, where Rubio’s name appeared frequently in conversations about potential 2028 candidates.
Vance has previously been viewed as the natural successor to lead Donald Trump’s political movement beyond the current administration. However, Rubio’s growing presence in early state politics suggests the race may prove more competitive than initially anticipated.
“I was a little surprised during a recent visit to Iowa how frequently the name of Secretary of State Marco Rubio came up, often in the same breath as JD Vance,” Bradner stated.
The analyst noted that both politicians have transformed their relationships with Trump since their earlier criticisms of the former president.
“Both of them, despite their own very public criticism of Trump in the past, now seem to be viewed as team players; as closely aligned with Trump and with his current administration, obviously, as leading members of it,” Bradner explained.
Rubio possesses a significant advantage over Vance in terms of presidential campaign experience, having sought the Republican nomination in 2016.
During that campaign cycle, Rubio established relationships with voters and activists across crucial early primary states.
“A lot of people in the early voting states remember Rubio visiting them in 2016, when he finished third in Iowa in what were pretty competitive caucuses,” Bradner observed.
The secretary of state’s previous campaign efforts created lasting connections with Republican voters who remember meeting him personally.
“A lot of these early-state Republican voters have met Rubio before,” the analyst noted.
In contrast, Vance enters the potential 2028 race with less established relationships in key primary states.
“They like Vance, but they don’t know him yet. They haven’t had a chance to go through the usual process with him,” Bradner said regarding Iowa Republicans’ familiarity with the vice president.
When questioned about his own presidential ambitions, Rubio deflected attention toward Vance’s qualifications for the role.
“I think JD Vance would be a great nominee … if he decides he wants to do that,” Rubio told Fox News.
“I think he’s doing a great job as vice president. He’s a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it,” the secretary of state added.
The 2028 race discussions occur against the backdrop of Trump’s constitutional inability to seek a third presidential term. Despite this limitation, Trump has made public statements suggesting interest in continuing beyond his current term.
“I will say this – so many people want me to do it,” Trump revealed in May regarding requests for him to run again.
“I have never had requests so strong as that,” the president continued.
“But it’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do,” Trump acknowledged. “I don’t know if that’s constitutional that they’re not allowing you to do it or anything else. But, there are many people selling the 2028 hat.”
The president has gone beyond verbal speculation by launching Trump 2028 merchandise promoting the possibility of another campaign.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) introduced legislation shortly after Trump’s inauguration to modify the 22nd Amendment.
The proposed measure would alter the amendment’s language to permit a president to seek a third term if the first two terms were not consecutive.
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive term,” the proposed legislation stated.
This modification would prevent Barack Obama, Trump’s leading opposition figure, from also attempting a third presidential term.
A recent Daily Mail/J.L. Partners poll revealed Obama would defeat Trump in a theoretical matchup between the two former presidents.
The survey showed 52 percent of respondents selecting Obama compared to 41 percent choosing Trump.
Obama’s 11-point advantage over Trump stems from an enthusiastic Hispanic base, of which 73 percent selected Obama, and also 68 percent of black voters.
Independent voters also reportedly preferred Obama over Trump in the hypothetical contest, with 50 percent supporting the former Democrat compared to 39 percent for Trump.
Some Trump supporters have discussed a potential constitutional workaround involving the 2028 election outcome.
Under this theoretical scenario, Vance or another Trump ally would win the presidency with Trump as running mate, then resign to allow Trump to assume the presidency once again.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed questions about Trump’s third term aspirations during a recent briefing.
“You guys continue to ask the president this question about a third term and then he answers honestly and candidly with a smile and then everybody here melts down about his answer,” she stated.
“People love the job this president is doing,” Leavitt added.
Trump has also mentioned the possibility of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., pursuing the presidency in the future.
Additional potential 2028 contenders include Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who defeated Trump in Iowa during the 2016 Republican primary.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) frequently appears in discussions about future Republican presidential candidates, given his electoral success in his home state.
The post ‘Surprising’ JD Vance Rival Emerges as GOP Prepares for 2028 Presidential Race: Report appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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