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As President Trump begins his second term, pundits are already speculating about his successor, pondering who will be elected the nation’s commander-in-chief in 2028.
Amazingly, a majority of Republicans appear to have a consensus on who the president’s successor should be: Vice President JD Vance.
According to a recent Race to the WH survey of GOP voters, the vice president led six other speculative candidates with 44.33 percent. He closest hypothetical challenger, Donald Trump Jr., placed second with 19.7 percent.
In third, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who briefly sought the 2024 Republican nomination, earned 9.1 percent in the survey, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio closely trailed the governor with 8.9 percent.
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley also earned 4.8 percent, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took just four percent.
Also earning support in the survey was Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy (3.6 percent), Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (2.8 percent), Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (2.2 percent), U.S. Global Media Agency senior advisor Kari Lake (1.9 percent), S.C. Sen. Tim Scott (1.3 percent), Rep. Byron Donalds (1.3 percent), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (1.1 percent), and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard (one percent).
The Democratic field, however, remained much more split, according to the survey.
Leading a group of six other candidates was former Vice President Kamala Harris, who received over 24 percent. Her closest challenger was former Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who earned 13.6 percent.
Following these two was California Gov. Gavin Newsom (10.7 percent), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (8.7 percent), N.J. Sen. Cory Booker (5.9 percent), Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro (4.8 percent), and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (3.9 percent)—Harris’ former running mate in 2024.
Following her latest loss to President Trump, it is uncertain whether Harris will launch another presidential bid, particularly given the unpopularity of the Biden administration. She may also launch a campaign in California’s 2026 governor’s race, potentially focusing her political aspirations elsewhere.
Thus, the person who will ascend to the Democratic Party’s 2028 nomination remains a mystery.
The Republican Party, however, is more decisive about this matter.
Ultimately, if Vance decides to run, the nomination is certainly his at this time, especially if the Trump presidency remains popular among Republicans and the general public.
