JD Vance Sidesteps 2028 Questions, Targets Ted Cruz as 'Obviously Running'
The Vice President declined to confirm his presidential ambitions while suggesting Senator Ted Cruz is already campaigning.
Vice President JD Vance deflected inquiries about his potential 2028 presidential bid on Thursday, while simultaneously asserting that Texas Senator Ted Cruz is "obviously" running for the Republican nomination.
Vance, when asked if the upcoming midterms would influence his decision to launch a presidential campaign, responded that "Regardless of what happens over the next 35 days, there will be new information, new things you have to make a decision over." He further demurred on his intentions, stating, "The American people make that decision."
The Vice President then shifted focus to Cruz, a former Senate colleague. "It is really obvious to me that, at this very moment, Ted Cruz is running for president," Vance told NBC News. "At this moment, I’m not. I’m trying to help elect Republicans. That’s what I’m going to keep on doing."
Cruz, in August, indicated that the discussion for the 2028 GOP presidential nominee was still open and that he would be part of it. "Oh, no. There’s going to be a full discussion about who we are and what we believe," Cruz said. "I’ll certainly be part of the discussion."
According to reports, Cruz has accused Vance of being an adherent to Tucker Carlson. Cruz and Carlson have previously clashed, particularly over Cruz's support for Israel.
Vance and Cruz served together in the Senate before Vance's selection as Vice President. In the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Cruz was Trump's most significant challenger, ultimately withdrawing after Trump secured 45 percent of the party's support compared to Cruz's 25 percent.
Although Cruz is not on the ballot in the current election cycle, his Senate term extending through 2030, he has been campaigning in early presidential primary states like Iowa and South Carolina to support GOP fundraising efforts ahead of the midterms.
Prediction markets suggest Vance has a stronger outlook for 2028 than Cruz. Kalshi, a prediction market, currently gives Vance a 45 percent chance of becoming the GOP's 2028 presidential nominee, while Cruz has a 2 percent chance.