These Republicans are Likely to Run for President in 2028
- Al Morris
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
There’s a lot of speculation about who is going to run for President in the next election. Trump is term-limited, but has joked about seeking a third term. Without a constitutional amendment to allow Trump to serve another term, here are the top 9 most likely contenders for the GOP nomination:
J.D. Vance is the most obvious name on the list. Sitting vice presidents are almost always seen as future contenders, but Vance has something more: the active blessing of Donald Trump. He’s built credibility with the populist base, strengthened ties with conservative donors, and carries himself like someone who knows his moment is coming. Ambition, opportunity, and a loyal voter base make him a top-tier 2028 prospect.
Marco Rubio is suddenly back in the national spotlight as Secretary of State. The job gives him foreign policy authority and daily visibility on the world stage, something he never had as a senator. Rubio already has the experience, name recognition, and national network from his 2016 run. He also represents a more traditional, Reaganite conservative lane that may appeal to voters looking for competency and stability after the Trump era.
Glenn Youngkin is finishing his term as governor of Virginia, and he’s already showing up in Iowa and South Carolina. Politicians don’t visit early primary states by accident. Youngkin offers a business-friendly, suburban-approved conservatism that could unite multiple factions of the party. Donors like him, strategists trust him, and he can talk to moderates without losing the base.
Brian Kemp has emerged as a quiet favorite among establishment conservatives. Term-limited in Georgia, he has nowhere to go but up. Kemp’s brand is competence without theatrics, and he’s well connected within the Republican Governors Association and national donor circles. He’s the type of candidate the GOP could turn to if chaos fatigue becomes a defining issue in 2028.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders brings executive experience and grassroots credibility in one package. Her time as governor of Arkansas, combined with her years as Trump’s press secretary, give her a built-in national audience. She’s been steadily expanding her profile through speeches and public appearances, and she connects well with voters who want a culturally conservative fighter.
Kristi Noem continues to cultivate a national footprint through her federal role and her long-standing ties to the conservative activist world. She has built her brand around states’ rights, law and order, and assertive conservative leadership. That message plays extremely well in Republican primaries, especially among voters tired of bureaucratic drift and weak GOP leadership.
Ted Cruz hasn’t been subtle about considering another run. He’s building donor networks, reconnecting with national operatives, and reminding conservatives why he was once the party’s leading ideological voice. Cruz believes the GOP will eventually return to constitutional conservatism, and he wants to be ready when it does. With his national recognition and loyal base, he’s a serious contender if the field fractures.
Tim Scott is meeting with donors again and positioning himself as the party’s optimistic unifier. He’s well liked across the GOP, respected by moderates, and trusted by grassroots conservatives. Scott can raise money, he has a positive message, and he brings moral authority that resonates with voters who want to turn the temperature down a little without drifting left.
Rand Paul is the natural heir to the libertarian wing of the Republican Party, and he knows it. His base is smaller but fiercely loyal, and he can raise money quickly when he wants to. Paul also stands out in a field full of big-government Republicans, which gives him a clear identity and a reason to run. If voters start demanding a return to limited government and civil liberties, he becomes a much more serious player.