Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) said Vice President JD Vance stands as the Republican Party's "clear front-runner" for president in 2028, speaking from the Republican National Committee's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas.
Gill praised Vance for backing President Donald Trump's domestic economic policies, border initiatives, and foreign policy stances. "He is a huge leader of the party right now, and he's done a phenomenal job supporting the president," Gill said, expressing his desire to see Vance lead the Republican ticket in 2028.
Vance, 42, has moved to the center of the succession conversation. Trump's term is halfway through, and party strategists are already calculating who will carry the Republican banner next.
But before 2028, Republicans face midterm elections. Gill stressed the importance of maintaining a House majority, framing the midterms as a choice between "mainstream values for the Republican Party and extreme values."
The Dallas convention gave Vance a national stage to audition for the presidency. Trump delivered Wednesday's keynote, urging supporters to "vote like I'm on the ballot." Vance took Thursday's slot with a speech assailing the Democratic Party.
Gill pointed to Trump's actions on the southern border as proof that Republicans can deliver on promises. "Trump had the backbone to secure it after decades of promises," Gill said.
Other potential 2028 contenders include Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who offer alternative visions for the party's post-Trump direction. But among attendees and party operatives at the convention, Vance's momentum appeared strongest.
