The race to succeed President Donald Trump is already generating attention in Washington, even though the 2028 presidential election remains two years away.
And according to three prominent White House reporters, the eventual Republican field could include some familiar names — along with several political wild cards few voters may expect.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sen. Ted Cruz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and even Secretary of War Pete Hegseth were among the figures discussed during a recent panel about the future of the Republican Party.
The conversation offered an early look at one of the biggest questions facing Republicans after Trump: Who could inherit the political coalition he built?
Reporters Turn Their Attention To The 2028 Election
Politico White House bureau chief Dasha Burns, NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake and New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman appeared together during a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival.
Much of the discussion focused on covering Trump’s presidency.
But toward the end of the event, Washington Post moderator Annah Aschbrenner shifted the conversation toward the next Republican presidential race.
That prompted a surprisingly broad discussion about the politicians who could compete for the GOP nomination in 2028.
No candidate discussed during the panel was being formally declared a contender. Instead, the reporters were offering their assessment of how the future Republican field could develop.
JD Vance Could Start With A Major Advantage
Vice President JD Vance was immediately identified as one of the most obvious potential successors to Trump.
Haake suggested the future Republican Party could break into several different political “lanes,” including one for a candidate closely associated with the Trump White House.
Vance would naturally fit that category.
As Trump’s vice president, Vance has already developed his own national profile while maintaining strong ties to the president’s political movement.
Haberman also suggested that Vance could be in a particularly strong position if he decides to pursue the Republican nomination.
But even that is far from guaranteed.
Political conditions can change quickly, and the next two years will include major domestic and foreign-policy developments that could reshape the race before campaigning begins in earnest.
Marco Rubio Could Also Be In The Mix
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was another major Republican name mentioned during the discussion.
Haake raised Rubio as a possible alternative if Vance decided not to run or was otherwise removed from consideration.
Rubio would bring something few potential candidates can match: extensive experience in both presidential politics and national government.
The Florida Republican previously sought the GOP presidential nomination in 2016 before later becoming a prominent member of the Trump administration.
His role in the administration could give him a natural platform if he ever chooses to pursue the White House again.
Ted Cruz Could Take His Own Path
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was also included in the discussion.
Rather than placing Cruz directly in the Trump-successor category, Haake described another possible lane for Republicans who largely support Trump’s agenda while leaving themselves room to argue that they would have handled certain issues differently.
Cruz could potentially fit that mold.
The Texas senator has already experienced a bruising presidential campaign.
He finished as Trump’s most significant remaining Republican rival during the 2016 primary before ultimately suspending his campaign.
A 2028 campaign would therefore give Cruz another opportunity to seek the nomination more than a decade after his first White House bid.
For now, however, talk of another Cruz presidential campaign remains speculation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Named As A Political Wild Card
One of the biggest surprises came when Haake raised Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy’s name reportedly drew a noticeable reaction from the audience.
His political journey has been unusual.
Kennedy initially pursued the Democratic presidential nomination during the 2024 election cycle before leaving the party’s primary process and launching an independent campaign.
He later suspended that campaign and endorsed Trump.
Kennedy has since become closely connected with the Make America Healthy Again movement, commonly known as MAHA.
That movement has attracted voters concerned about chronic illness, food ingredients, health policy and the influence of major institutions on America’s healthcare system.
Haake suggested that Kennedy could retain a significant following among those voters if Trump’s broader coalition eventually divides into competing factions.
Whether Kennedy would actually pursue the Republican presidential nomination remains unknown.
But his inclusion shows just how unconventional the 2028 Republican field could become.
Tulsi Gabbard Is Another Name To Watch
Burns added Tulsi Gabbard to the group of possible unconventional contenders.
Gabbard’s political career has taken a dramatic turn over the past several years.
The former Hawaii congresswoman once ran for president as a Democrat in 2020.
She later left the Democratic Party and became increasingly aligned with Trump and his supporters.
Her positions on foreign policy, government surveillance and establishment institutions helped her build an audience that extends beyond traditional Republican voters.
That could make her an intriguing figure if the 2028 GOP primary becomes a battle over who can expand — rather than simply preserve — Trump’s political coalition.
Again, there has been no formal announcement of a Gabbard presidential campaign.
Donald Trump Jr. Could Have Major Influence
Another Trump family member could play an important role in determining what happens next.
Burns highlighted Donald Trump Jr.’s continued popularity among many MAGA voters.
While the discussion did not center on Trump Jr. becoming a presidential candidate himself, Burns suggested he could have substantial influence over the Republican primary.
One possible beneficiary could be JD Vance.
Burns noted Trump Jr.’s role in helping Vance rise within Trump’s political orbit and suggested his support could help connect the vice president with important parts of the MAGA movement.
Haberman also observed that Trump Jr. communicates with conservative audiences differently than his father.
That relationship could become important as Republican candidates compete for voters who strongly supported Trump but may eventually have several possible successors to choose from.
Pete Hegseth Joins The Growing List
Burns also mentioned Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as another administration official who could potentially emerge in future Republican presidential discussions.
Hegseth entered the Trump administration with an established profile among conservative voters after years in television and political commentary.
That name recognition could matter in a national Republican primary.
Burns suggested Hegseth may not be the only Trump Cabinet member who eventually considers seeking higher office.
If several administration officials enter the race, Republicans could face a crowded contest featuring multiple candidates all attempting to claim some connection to Trump’s legacy.
Could An Anti-Trump Republican Run?
Not every possible candidate discussed belonged to Trump’s political camp.
Haake also described the possibility of an explicitly anti-Trump lane within the Republican primary.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was mentioned as one example.
Christie ran for the Republican nomination in 2016 and again during the 2024 election cycle, when he became one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics.
Outgoing Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon was also mentioned as the type of Republican who could potentially appeal to voters seeking a different direction.
How large that portion of the Republican electorate will be by 2028 is impossible to know this far in advance.
The Midterm Elections Could Reshape 2028
Before Republicans seriously begin choosing Trump’s successor, they must first get through the 2026 midterm elections.
Those results could dramatically alter the political landscape.
Burns suggested that a particularly difficult midterm performance for Republicans could encourage more potential candidates to enter the 2028 race.
A strong Republican showing could produce a very different outcome.
Midterm elections often influence how parties evaluate their leadership, messaging and future strategy.
For potential presidential candidates, the results could help determine whether aligning closely with the sitting administration becomes an advantage or whether voters begin looking for a new approach.
Foreign Policy Could Become A Major Factor
Foreign affairs could also shape the Republican primary.
Haberman pointed to the ongoing war with Iran as one issue that could affect Vance and other administration officials before 2028.
Presidential elections frequently turn on domestic issues such as inflation, jobs, taxes and immigration.
But major international conflicts can quickly change voters’ priorities and reshape political coalitions.
That makes the next two years particularly important for Republicans currently serving inside the Trump administration.
Their records will likely become a major part of any future campaign.
Who Will Inherit Trump’s MAGA Coalition?
That may ultimately be the central question surrounding the 2028 Republican presidential primary.
Trump transformed the Republican Party over the course of more than a decade.
His coalition brought together traditional Republicans, working-class voters, populists, evangelical Christians, independents and some former Democratic voters.
Keeping all of those groups together may prove difficult once Trump is no longer the Republican presidential candidate.
Vance could attempt to maintain much of the existing MAGA coalition.
Rubio could emphasize experience in government and foreign policy.
Cruz could return as an experienced conservative presidential candidate.
Kennedy could draw support from the growing MAHA movement.
Gabbard could appeal to voters skeptical of Washington’s political establishment.
Other Trump administration officials could also emerge as serious contenders.
That means the battle to succeed Trump could become a contest not only between individual candidates, but also between different visions for what the Republican Party should become next.
2028 Republican Race Could Look Very Different
There is still plenty of time for the potential field to change.
Candidates who appear strong today may decide not to run. Others who currently receive little attention could emerge quickly.
The economy, immigration, foreign policy, the 2026 midterms and Trump’s own popularity could all influence who ultimately enters the race.
For now, there is no official Republican field.
But the growing speculation surrounding Vance, Rubio, Cruz, Kennedy, Gabbard, Hegseth and others reveals something important.
The political conversation about life after Trump has already begun.
And when the 2028 Republican presidential race finally takes shape, voters may have far more choices than anyone expects today.
