The political landscape is already pivoting to the 2028 White House race as ballots from the US midterm elections continue to be counted. Democrats are entering the cycle with momentum following major gains in Congress, though the BBC notes that a strong midterm showing does not guarantee a presidential win, citing Barack Obama's 2012 re-election despite significant Republican gains in 2010.
Several potential candidates emerged as strong figures during the 2026 midterms. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff won by a large margin in Georgia, a state Donald Trump won in 2024. Although Ossoff previously stated he has no plans to run for president, his campaign boosted his national profile. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also secured a victory, with analysts suggesting his broad appeal in a swing state could make him a competitive national candidate. Additionally, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker won a race that state pundits described as a "tune-up" for a presidential run.
On the Republican side, Senator Tom Cotton and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders both retained their seats in Arkansas by narrower margins than previously. However, some potential successors may benefit from being outside the current administration. Senator Ted Cruz, who did not run this year, criticized Republican politicians for failing to address the economic issues faced by voters, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pointed to Republican victories in Florida as a model for what can be achieved.
The election results may present challenges for current leadership, including Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Exit polls suggest a swing against Republicans was partly due to voter anger over the actions of the Trump administration. Karen Beckwith, a professor of political science at Case Western Reserve University, stated that Vance has been "hurt badly" by the campaign. Vance has attempted to distance himself from the defeat and from a foreign policy adventure in Iran that was politically disastrous for his party, writing on X that "The reason we lost is the war." Meanwhile, Rubio has denied reports that he is considering leaving his post for a 2028 run.
