In the next few days, two prominent Republicans are scheduled to visit Iowa, a critical state for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections and the traditional starting point for the Republican presidential nominating process for the past fifty years.
Vice President John D. Vance and Texas Senator Ted Cruz will focus on the midterms during their trip. With just over six months remaining until the elections, the Republicans are expected to retain a solid majority in the Senate and a slim majority in the House.
Once the midterms conclude, attention will naturally shift to the next presidential election. So, Vance and Cruz’s Iowa visit could prove beneficial if one of them pursues a bid for the presidency in 2028 after President Donald Trump completes his term.
Veteran Republican strategist David Kochel highlighted Iowa’s significance, pointing out the stakes with three House seats available and competitive races looming for Senate and governor positions.
“Iowa seems really competitive right now,” Kochel observed. “Expect a lot of money and attention here. This gives potential 2028 candidates a chance to connect with voters and test their messaging.”
Cruz is set to speak on Friday at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual spring kickoff, an influential socially conservative group. His address, titled “Constitutional Courage: ‘Cruising’ to Victory: A Roadmap to 2026,” suggests a strategy for the upcoming elections.
Having won Iowa’s presidential caucuses in 2016—where he came in second to Trump in that year’s primaries—Cruz had contemplated another presidential run before deciding to focus on his Senate re-election.
When asked if he was seriously considering another White House campaign, Cruz indicated, “There will be plenty of time for those decisions—a formal announcement isn’t on the table today.”
Meanwhile, Vance will appear in Iowa on Tuesday alongside Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, who is facing a difficult re-election campaign in a contested district. This visit marks Vance’s first as vice president to either Iowa or New Hampshire before the Trump-era presidential primary calendar resumes.
Kochel noted that Vance will garner significant media exposure during this trip. However, he pushed back against speculation about 2028, describing such conjecture as “premature” and “dishonest” to Trump, emphasizing his commitment to his vice presidential duties and the midterms.
Despite this, Vance seems to be laying the groundwork for a potential presidential campaign by assembling a team of advisers. Currently, he leads early polls for the 2028 Republican nomination, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s profile is also rising, driven by his recent focus on U.S. operations in Venezuela and tensions with Iran.
Rubio, who had previously competed against Trump for the Republican nomination, recently finished second to Vance in a straw poll for the 2028 nomination at the latest Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
Trump praised both Vance and Rubio earlier, dubbing their potential pairing “unstoppable” but has yet to define a clear frontrunner for the top spot.
Rubio had previously stated that he would support Vance if he decided to run. However, some Republican donors are reportedly contemplating ways to elevate Rubio’s visibility, causing some friction among Trump’s circle.
“Vance is the future of our party,” an anonymous Trump administration operative commented, expressing concern over donor-induced divisions. Vance affirmed his friendship with Rubio on Fox News, suggesting that media narratives have exaggerated any conflicts within their ranks.
Alongside Vance, Cruz, and Rubio, several other high-profile Republicans may also eye the presidential nomination in 2028, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, among others.
Additionally, Byron Donald, a Florida Representative, and Donald Trump Jr. are also considered potential candidates, although the latter’s close ties to Vance might complicate his aspirations for the presidency.
