The 2028 GOP Field: Will Iowa See A Trump Successor?
Donald Trump is keeping the 2028 Republican presidential field cloudy, leaving Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and other hopefuls in a holding pattern. For Iowa caucusgoers, this means a delayed start to the traditional campaign season, as potential candidates fear crossing the president and alienating his base.
President Trump, not yet halfway through his second term, has said he will abide by the Constitution and not seek a third term. However, he also shows no interest in passing the torch anytime soon. While conventional wisdom points to Vance as the natural heir, Trump has built a career on defying conventional wisdom.
CNN senior reporter Steve Contorno recently broke down the state of the emerging Republican field. His analysis reveals a party waiting on one man's timeline, with significant implications for early voting states like Iowa.
Who Are The Top Contenders To Succeed Trump?
The conversation about Trump's replacement has to start with the vice president. At conservative events like Turning Point USA rallies and CPAC, grassroots activists show a strong deference to Vance. Turning Point USA has even endorsed him early, leveraging a massive ground operation in swing states.
Still, Trump has been deliberately coy about his preferred successor, both publicly and privately. That hesitation has left the door open for other ambitious Republicans, particularly Marco Rubio.