Vice President JD Vance said he’s trying not to dwell on the idea of running for president in 2028, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity that his attention remains on the responsibilities he holds today.
Why It Matters
Speculation around a possible 2028 presidential bid by Vance has been growing, shaping early conversations about the Republican Party’s future in the post-Trump era and the emerging field for the next presidential race.
Recent polling that shows Vance running competitively in hypothetical matchups against prominent Democrats has only increased scrutiny of his role, influence and visibility within the Trump administration, positioning him as a potential contender for the GOP nomination.
What He Said on Hannity
During an appearance on Hannity, the Fox News host asked Vance whether he has seriously considered a White House run.
“I would say that I’ve thought about what that moment might look like after the midterm elections,” Vance replied. “But I also, whenever I think about that, I try to put it out of my head and remind myself the American people elected me to do a job right now, and my job is to do it.”
The vice president cautioned that focusing too much on the future can undermine the work in front of him.
If “you start getting distracted and focused on what comes next,” he said, it can make “you worse at the job that you have,” adding that his priority is helping Republicans win next year’s midterm elections.
“So, we’re gonna win the midterms, we’re gonna do everything that we can to win the midterms, and then after that, I’m gonna sit down with the president of the United States and talk to him about it,” Vance said. “But let’s focus on the now.”
“My attitude Sean is, look, if we do a good job, the politics will take care of itself. If we do a terrible job, the politics will take care of itself in the other direction, so I’m just going to focus on the job that I have,” he added.
What the Polls Show
Recent surveys underline Vance’s standing in the early 2028 conversation. A poll conducted by SoCal Strategies and sponsored by On Point Politics and Red Eagle Politics found that, in a hypothetical matchup, California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom leads Vance by 2 points (39 percent to 37 percent), with 23 percent of respondents undecided.
In another hypothetical scenario, former Democratic U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg leads Vance by 4 points (41 percent to 37 percent), with 21 percent undecided.
What Analysts Are Saying
Political analyst Craig Agranoff, in a text message to Newsweek, said that whether Vance ultimately becomes the clear GOP favorite in 2028 will depend on several moving parts.
“Whether he emerges as the glaring front-runner depends on several factors: his current role as VP gives him a high profile platform, and his alignment with Trump’s base, bolstered by recent polling showing him as a leading contender, strengthens his position,” Agranoff said.
He noted that the Republican field remains fluid, mentioning Secretary of State Marco Rubio as another key player. Their reportedly close relationship, he suggested, “could either smooth tensions or create awkwardness in Trump’s cabinet.”
“If Vance pursues this openly, it might strain dynamics, especially if Rubio sees it as a challenge to his own aspirations, though their personal rapport could mitigate overt conflict,” Agranoff added. “A lot will hinge on Trump’s future endorsement and how each navigates loyalty versus self-interest in the coming years.”
What Happens Next
For now, no major figures have formally entered the 2028 race. Additional national and state-level polling is expected in the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections.
Most of the potential contenders mentioned in early discussions—including Vance, Newsom and Buttigieg—are widely expected to clarify their plans only after the midterm cycle concludes.
