Vance faces uncertain path to 2028 as Republicans reassess their future - report
Vice president faces doubts among donors and conflicting advice from allies as Republicans debate how to recover from midterm election losses, the Wall Street Journal reports
US Vice President Vance’s potential presidential campaign faces fresh uncertainty following Republicans’ midterm losses, with donors questioning his prospects and allies divided over whether he should run, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
Some donors are reportedly considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other alternatives, concerned that Vance’s ties to the Trump administration could become a liability.
Within his circle, some allies have suggested sitting out the race, while others believe Republican support can recover. Vance remains undecided, according to the Journal.
The debate comes as the vice president begins to articulate his own explanation for the party’s defeat. In a post-election statement, Vance blamed the Iran war and urged Republicans to address living costs and reconsider the United States’ relationship with Israel.
His criticism marked a departure from President Donald Trump’s continued defense of the conflict. Polling nevertheless suggested that affordability and government corruption were more widely cited as crucial voting issues than the war itself, according to The Associated Press.
DeSantis has criticized Republicans’ campaign priorities, while Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has argued that the party failed to do enough on affordability, Reuters reported.
For Vance, the opening debate over the party’s direction is unfolding before he has committed to joining the race.