Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., an original member of the House Freedom Caucus, announced his endorsement of Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the 2028 presidential election following substantial Republican losses in the recent midterm elections. Stutzman stated that Rubio "can be a unifier" and urged fellow Republicans to focus on rebuilding the party.
Stutzman also suggested a shift in the GOP's communication strategy, particularly regarding immigration. "We need to get off the deportation messages, take credit for closing the border, and now start finding a path forward for those here illegally obeying the laws," he told Fox News Digital. "No citizenship just work visas."
The midterm elections saw a significant Democratic victory, with projections indicating Democrats will hold at least 54 Senate seats and 240 House seats, compared to Republicans' projected 147. Democrats also secured key governorships in states like Texas and Iowa.
Other Republicans are also assessing the party's path forward. Vice President JD Vance attributed the losses partly to the war in Iran, posting on X, "The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night." Vance is also considered a potential contender for the 2028 presidential nomination, as is Rubio. Vance stated that any honest conversation about the party's future must begin with understanding the cause of the losses.
Stutzman emphasized the need for Republicans to "do better at communicating" and to "push policy" effectively, acknowledging that the recent election results indicate shortcomings in these areas.