Republican losses in the 2026 midterm elections have injected new uncertainty into the party's 2028 presidential primary, which had long appeared likely to be decided by President Donald Trump's endorsement. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been viewed as leading contenders for Trump's backing, with Vance seen as the obvious successor and Rubio highlighting achievements such as restructuring USAID and strengthening alliances against Chinese influence.
The midterm results, however, represent what the Review-Journal calls a "stunning rebuke" of Trump, who campaigned heavily while his approval rating sits 20 points underwater. Republicans lost ground in traditionally safe states including Iowa, Ohio, Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas, suggesting that being Trump's handpicked successor could become a liability in a general election rather than an asset.
The outcome has created an opening for outgoing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is termed out after eight years. DeSantis oversaw massive tax cuts, reduced state debt, banned gender-transition surgeries for minors, and transformed Florida from a swing state into a reliable Republican stronghold — a trend that continued with GOP victories in Tuesday's gubernatorial and down-ballot races.
DeSantis has recently signaled interest in a national run, calling for a ban on congressional stock trading extended to the executive branch and declaring he has never traded a stock while in elected office. "How do you have no investment acumen, and then all of a sudden get elected to Congress, and then you're outperforming Warren Buffett?" DeSantis said. He also argued Republicans must draw a "clear contrast between freedom and socialism" and criticized crony capitalism.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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