After Democrats won control of Congress in the midterms, some Trump supporters are already considering who might take over the Republican mantle in 2028. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio came up often in conversations with people attending a Trump rally in Bangor, Maine.
Several rallygoers praised Rubio as direct and experienced, while others said they liked both him and Vance. One supporter described Vance as a strong choice but said Rubio’s experience and speaking skills gave him an edge. Another said the two could make a compelling ticket.
The Bangor rally was one of Trump’s final stops before the midterm vote, which delivered major gains to Democrats in both chambers of Congress. Anger over rising costs and the war with Iran contributed to voters’ rejection of Trump and his agenda.
Some Republicans at the rally said they wanted a candidate who could carry on Trump’s approach, though one person said they were open to someone beyond the obvious next-in-line choice. Another wished Trump could run again.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also came up as a possible contender. He praised his state’s Republicans for holding on to control after the election, crediting his administration in part. One rallygoer said they would be comfortable with either a Vance-Rubio or Vance-DeSantis ticket.
Other Republicans mentioned in early discussions about 2028 include Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri. No major Republican has formally launched a presidential campaign, but the midterm results have sharpened attention on who might seek the party’s nomination.
Some supporters favored Rubio over Vance, while others were reluctant to choose between them, calling both strong potential successors to Trump.
