Potential 2028 GOP contenders clash over blame for 2026 midterm losses

Republicans are analysing the 2026 midterm defeat and positioning themselves for the 2028 presidential race. Vice President JD Vance attributed the loss to the war in Iran, posting on X that voters who supported the Trump-Vance ticket in 2024 abandoned the party over the conflict. He argued that the war was the primary reason for the defeat, while noting that a CNBC Voter Poll showed only 34% of House voters considered the war a decisive issue, compared with 49% who cited cost-of-living concerns and 55% who pointed to government corruption.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision to strike Iran, telling reporters that “sometimes, when you do the right thing, you don’t know whether it’s popular or not, but it’s still the right thing to do.” Rubio, who has not confirmed a 2028 bid, said the foreign-policy choice was consistent with U.S. interests despite the electoral setback.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the party’s overall strategy, calling the midterms “close to an extinction-level event” for Republicans and saying the GOP was “fighting yesterday’s battle.” He highlighted that while Republicans kept control of Florida, the margin in the governor’s race narrowed and Democrats made gains in the state legislature.

Senator Ted Cruz labeled the results a “Watergate-level repudiation,” blaming tariffs and the prolonged Iran war for voter backlash. Other potential candidates, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, face the challenge of distancing themselves from the administration while retaining support from the MAGA base.

President Donald Trump made a brief appearance in the White House briefing room, stating that the Iran war “militarily is effectively over” but that the United States remains prepared to resume strikes. He also questioned the legitimacy of the midterm outcome, suggesting voting machines might have played a role. In a CBS interview, Trump praised both Vance and Rubio but said he might stay out of the 2028 primary, adding, “Maybe I’m better off not getting involved.”

The internal debate reflects broader divisions within the party. A CNBC Voter Poll indicated that younger Republican voters are less supportive of Trump and more skeptical of the Iran war, while older voters remain strongly favorable toward the president. Wealthy donors are reportedly weighing alternatives to candidates directly tied to the current administration, fearing the political baggage of the second Trump term could hinder future electoral prospects.