Vice President JD Vance says he may decide against seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2028 despite holding approximately 39% support in early primary polling, with family considerations playing a significant role in his decision.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged Saturday, Oct. 17, that he may not run for president in 2028, saying his responsibilities as a father and his wife’s reservations about political life will influence a decision he intends to postpone until after the November midterm elections.
During a CBS News town hall in Flat Rock, Michigan, Vance declined to commit to a presidential campaign when anchor Tony Dokoupil asked whether he could ultimately decide against entering the race.
“Of course there’s a chance,” Vance responded.
“We’ve got four little kids, my wife has never loved politics. She loves public service.”
His comments came as early Republican presidential primary polls showed substantial support for his potential candidacy, raising questions about whether the vice president will seek to succeed President Donald Trump when the president’s second term ends in January 2029.
According to the RealClearPolling national average, Vance holds 39.1% support among surveyed Republican primary voters, compared with 23.8% for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and 11.1% for Donald Trump Jr.
The figures, drawn from surveys conducted between July 19 and Oct. 6, place Vance approximately 15 percentage points ahead of Rubio. However, they represent an early measurement of voter preferences rather than a forecast of the eventual nomination.
Vance emphasized that he and second lady Usha Vance have not begun serious discussions about another national campaign.
“We’re really not,” he said when asked whether the couple was considering a 2028 run.
“Whenever it comes up, it’s always let’s figure it out after the midterms,” he added.
The vice president also acknowledged that he tends to delay major personal decisions, particularly when they could significantly affect his family.
“The way that I think about life, big life decisions — my wife will tell you this: I’m a procrastinator. I hate thinking about it,” Vance said.
The couple welcomed their fourth child, Alec, in July. Their three older children are Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel.
A presidential campaign would place substantial demands on the family, requiring extensive travel, fundraising, public appearances and heightened scrutiny.
Usha Vance has previously discussed the differences between her husband’s political career and her own interests.
In a March interview with NBC News, she explained that her views do not always align neatly with a particular political party.
“Sometimes I have thoughts that fit very comfortably into one side or another,” she said. “Sometimes I have views that are way more idiosyncratic.”
She also described herself as someone her husband can consult privately rather than a formal political adviser.
The vice president’s uncertainty comes despite previous comments from Trump suggesting that Vance could become his political successor.
Trump has described Vance as his “most likely” successor, while also praising Rubio and other members of his administration.
Neither Vance nor Rubio has formally announced a campaign for the 2028 Republican nomination.
For now, Vance said his attention remains on the administration’s responsibilities and the November 3 congressional elections.
The vice president has been campaigning for Republican candidates in several states, including Michigan, where former Rep. Mike Rogers is seeking a U.S. Senate seat against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.
The Michigan town hall also addressed rising gasoline prices, immigration enforcement, the war with Iran and questions about government accountability.
Vance defended the Trump administration’s policies while acknowledging concerns about economic pressures facing American households.
During the event, he faced questions about military operations in Iran, including the deaths of American service members in a March drone attack in Kuwait.
He promised to examine concerns raised about military preparedness and the handling of that incident.
The vice president also discussed immigration enforcement, maintaining that federal authorities must enforce immigration laws while responding appropriately when mistakes occur.
Those exchanges provided an indication of the issues likely to remain prominent in national politics beyond the midterm elections.
Vance’s participation in campaign events has also kept him visible among Republican voters as speculation about the party’s next presidential nominee continues.
However, he emphasized that the decision to seek the presidency will involve more than polling numbers or political expectations.
The Republican nomination contest remains nearly two years away, and the potential field could change substantially before candidates begin formally organizing their campaigns.
Vance’s remarks leave open the possibility that he will pursue the nomination, remain in public service in another capacity or choose not to enter the race.
“Anything could happen, man,” he told Dokoupil.
For now, the vice president says the immediate priority is the midterm election, with any decision about a presidential campaign to follow after discussions with his family.
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