The political machine in Washington never truly stops churning. Just weeks after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance officially took office following their 2024 victory, attention has already pivoted toward the 2028 presidential race. And while JD Vance’s name is floating near the top of potential Republican contenders, he’s in no hurry to confirm any ambitions—at least, not publicly.
During an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, Vance deflected questions about his 2028 plans, keeping the focus squarely on the work ahead. “We’ve not thought a lot about politics in the last six months,” he told Bartiromo, before adding, “We’ll see what happens come 2028. The best thing for my future is actually the best thing for the American people, which is that we do a really good job over the next three and a half years.”
But Vance’s noncommittal stance hasn’t stopped the buzz. After all, history favors vice presidents seeking the nation’s top job. Of the 49 individuals who have served as vice president, 15 eventually became president, though eight of them ascended due to a sitting president’s death. Most recently, Kamala Harris tried her hand at continuing her predecessor’s legacy but stumbled.
Harris, who competed against Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2020, found herself in a similar position as Vance—widely viewed as the heir apparent. Yet when Biden opted out of the 2024 race and passed the torch to Harris, her campaign failed to gain traction, leaving the Democratic bench scattered and lacking a dominant 2028 frontrunner.
This uncertainty on the Democratic side contrasts sharply with the presumed advantage Vance holds. As a key figure in the MAGA wing of the Republican Party and a close ally of Donald Trump, Vance is expected to receive significant support from that base, should he choose to run.
His credentials as a former Ohio senator and the national recognition he’s gained only strengthen his standing. Still, potential challengers from within the Republican Party are a given—particularly in a political landscape as competitive as the post-Trump GOP.
JD On if he’s running for president in 2028 pic.twitter.com/9rW50zOJjj
— JD Vance Stan🇺🇸 Pragmatic Social Conservative (@Redvoter2024) February 3, 2025
For now, though, Vance is content with playing the waiting game. “We’ll cross that political bridge when we come to it,” he said, leaving room for speculation but signaling that his focus remains on the administration’s immediate goals. However, with the campaign spotlight always looming in Washington, that bridge might arrive sooner than he thinks.