In a political landscape still dominated by President Donald Trump, the question of who will carry the Republican torch in the 2028 presidential race is already sparking intense speculation.
According to The Hill, this article explores the top GOP contenders vying to succeed Trump as the party’s leader, with Vice President JD Vance emerging as the current frontrunner.
As Trump continues to hold a commanding presence in the Republican Party, discussions about the future are gaining traction. With Trump set to be 82 years old by Election Day 2028, many assume he will exit the White House after his second term. While Trump has floated the idea of a third term, backed by figures like Steve Bannon, constitutional experts argue such a move would be impermissible.
The competition to succeed Trump is expected to be fierce, with several prominent figures already positioning themselves for a potential run. At the forefront is Vice President JD Vance, widely seen as the heir to Trump’s political legacy. Vance, much younger than many in the party’s upper echelons, has forged a strong connection with Trump’s working-class base through his personal story, chronicled in his book “Hillbilly Elegy.”
Vance’s alignment with Trump’s isolationist foreign policy, including shared criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in the Oval Office earlier this year, bolsters his standing among MAGA supporters.
Despite his combative stance with the media, he has few adversaries within the Trump-era GOP, unlike more polarizing figures in the party. However, Vance’s political instincts have faced scrutiny, particularly after a 2021 remark about “childless cat ladies” resurfaced and caused backlash during last year’s campaign.
Donald Trump Jr. also ranks high among potential candidates, though his prominence largely stems from his father’s influence rather than personal political achievements. While Trump Sr. has weathered numerous controversies, including two impeachments and 34 felony convictions, it remains unclear if his base’s loyalty would extend to his son. Trump Jr.’s focus on fiery social media posts, a podcast named “Triggered,” and business ventures leaves doubts about whether he can replicate his father’s appeal without inheriting the same level of opposition from liberals.
Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas is another strong contender, having wisely opted out of the 2024 GOP nomination race, which Trump dominated. Cotton, an Army veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, maintains an untarnished image among MAGA supporters and excels as a speaker in media appearances. His hawkish foreign policy views contrast with Vance’s, and he recently called for an investigation into former special counsel Jack Smith over alleged election interference in 2024, a claim Smith’s legal team has denied.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, once Trump’s fiercest rival in the 2016 primary, has since shifted to a more supportive stance despite past bitterness, including Trump’s unfounded attacks on Cruz’s family. Known for his staunch conservatism on cultural and economic issues, Cruz remains a recognizable national figure, though some MAGA voters may still harbor distrust. Similarly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who clashed with Trump in 2016 and earned the nickname “Lil’ Marco,” now defends Trump’s foreign policy on television, potentially strengthening his position through his current administration role.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a key rival to Trump in the 2024 nomination process, saw his campaign falter, but he has recently worked to rebuild ties with Trump loyalists. His support for Alligator Alcatraz, a contentious immigration detention facility in the Everglades visited by Trump this summer, has drawn attention, though a judge has ordered its closure amid legal challenges DeSantis is fighting. Earlier this month, DeSantis announced plans for a second facility dubbed “Deportation Depot,” further signaling his hardline stance on immigration.
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri could emerge as a dark horse in 2028, actively seeking working-class support through initiatives like criticizing congressional stock trading and advocating for labor-friendly policies. Despite skepticism from critics on the left and suspicion from some within his party over his strong social conservatism, Hawley’s potential candidacy is viewed as intriguing. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, on the other hand, represents a highly divisive option, known for her inflammatory rhetoric since entering Congress in 2020.
Greene has sparred with Democrats and even fellow Republicans, while making controversial statements, such as calling Israeli actions in Gaza a “genocide” in July. In August, she accused her party of having “turned its back on America First, and the workers and just regular Americans,” further alienating some within the GOP. Her national electability is widely questioned, and her nomination would be seen as a significant gamble for the party.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican senator, is well-liked across GOP factions and by Trump himself, known for his approachable demeanor. His potential to attract more Black voters to the party is notable, though his 2020 candidacy failed to gain momentum. Scott currently lacks a clear path to outshine higher-ranked contenders for the 2028 nomination.
As the 2028 presidential race looms, the Republican Party faces a crowded field of candidates, each with unique strengths and challenges. From Vance’s frontrunner status to the wildcard potential of figures like Hawley and Greene, the battle to define the GOP’s future direction is already underway. Meanwhile, The Hill plans to release similar rankings for Democratic contenders tomorrow, offering a broader view of the evolving political landscape.