JD Vance’s RNC speech ignites 2028 speculation as Republicans eye the next presidential front‑runner.
Vance and Cruz trade barbs over 2028 ambitions
Political commentator Joe Sweeney appeared on Fox News to argue that Vance is emerging as the GOP’s next standard‑bearer, casting him as the millennial voice of the MAGA movement.
In an NBC News interview on Thursday, Vance declared that Senator Ted Cruz was already launching a 2028 presidential bid, adding that he himself was focused on helping Republicans win the upcoming midterms.
Cruz fired back on a Politico phone interview Saturday, saying that “people engage in political bomb‑throwing when they’re feeling insecure,” and pledged to keep his attention on the November elections.
“I’m going to keep focusing on the midterms and helping us win on Election Day in the next 30 days,” Cruz told Politico.
Vance, a possible 2028 contender, has been traveling the country stumping for GOP candidates, with recent stops in Texas and Florida and a rally scheduled in Alaska.
Cruz, who ran for the Republican nomination in 2016, said he remains open to another White House run, telling MS NOW in August that he “will certainly be part of the discussion” about 2028.
“I’ll certainly be part of the discussion,” Cruz told MS NOW in August when asked about the 2028 race.
Cruz highlighted his extensive campaigning for Senate, House and gubernatorial candidates across Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina, Ohio and his home state, promising to continue that effort through November.
“Over the last 10 years, there’s no Republican in the country who has campaigned for more Senate candidates, more House candidates, more gubernatorial candidates than I have, and this year will be no exception,” he said.
Ironically, Cruz recalled spending a full day campaigning with Vance during the 2022 Ohio Senate race, which Vance won.
“I was very glad he won that race. I was very glad to help him,” Cruz said.
