The next presidential race is still more than two years away, but the jockeying has already started. No Republican has formally entered the 2028 field yet, though a handful of familiar names keep surfacing in the news. Here is a plain-language look at the 2028 Republican candidates who might run, what we know, and what it means for you.
Quick answer: As of our October 2026 check, no major Republican has formally declared a 2028 presidential run. The most widely reported potential candidates are Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz and Brian Kemp. Republicans are expected to keep Iowa first on their calendar, but that calendar is not final.
Where the Republican field stands right now
Let’s start with what is solid. As of October 5, 2026, no major Republican has formally declared a run for president in 2028. The same is true on the Democratic side, which we track in our 2028 Democratic candidates tracker.
That means every name below is a potential candidate, not an announced one. These are people widely reported as possibilities. Being on a list is not the same as running, and plenty of people on early lists never launch a campaign.
We will update this page as announcements happen. For the big picture of the whole race, start with our 2028 presidential election guide.
The potential 2028 Republican candidates
Here are the five Republicans most widely reported as possible 2028 contenders. The order is not a ranking, and none has declared.
| Name | Current role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| JD Vance | Vice President | Potential, not declared |
| Marco Rubio | Secretary of State | Potential, not declared |
| Ron DeSantis | Florida governor | Potential, not declared |
| Ted Cruz | Texas senator | Potential, not declared |
| Brian Kemp | Georgia governor | Potential, not declared |
JD Vance
As the sitting Vice President, JD Vance holds the office that has launched many modern presidential campaigns. He is widely reported as a potential 2028 candidate, but he has not announced anything. We are working on a deeper look at JD Vance’s likely run and what it means for Democrats.
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio serves as Secretary of State, a high-profile national role with a lot of public exposure. He is reported as a possible contender. Like everyone else here, he has not declared.
Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis is the governor of Florida and a national Republican figure. He is widely mentioned as a potential candidate for 2028. No announcement has been made.
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz is a US senator from Texas and appears on lists of possible contenders. He has not declared a 2028 campaign.
Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp is the governor of Georgia, a state that matters a great deal in presidential politics. He is reported as a potential candidate, but nothing is official. For more on why Georgia and other states loom so large, see our 2028 swing states guide.
A name on a list is not a campaign, and early lists are only a starting point.
The Trump question: can he run again?
People ask this constantly, so let’s be direct about the rules. The 22nd Amendment limits a president to two elected terms. That is the constitutional text, and it frames how analysts think about the 2028 field.
We cover the amendment and the surrounding debate in our explainer, Can Trump Run for a Third Term? The 22nd Amendment. Read it if you want the details rather than the rumors.
The basic eligibility rules apply to everyone. A president must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a US resident for 14 years. Curious about the age extremes? We are preparing a piece on the youngest and oldest presidential candidates in history.
How the Republican calendar compares
The parties do not run identical primary calendars, and 2028 is shaping up differently on each side.
Republicans: Iowa expected first
Republicans are expected to keep Iowa first on their 2028 calendar, according to RNC reports from September 2026. The key word is expected. The GOP calendar is not final, and we will update this page when it is. (State-level map changes through gerrymandering can also affect primary delegate allocation.)
Democrats: a new early window
Democrats took a different path. The DNC approved its 2028 early-window calendar on August 15, 2026, at its summer meeting in Austin, Texas. Iowa is not in the Democratic early window.
- South Carolina: January 22, 2028
- Nevada: February 1, 2028
- New Hampshire: February 8, 2028
- New Mexico: February 15, 2028
- Michigan: February 22, 2028
- Virginia: February 29, 2028
Super Tuesday follows on March 7, 2028. New Hampshire state law requires it to hold the first primary in the nation, which clashed with the DNC calendar in 2024, so watch for changes. Our 2028 Democratic primary calendar keeps every date in one place, and how presidential primaries work explains the process from scratch.
Every primary, early or late, is decided by the people who show up and the volunteers who got them there.
Why this matters for Democrats and progressives
Our view: Understanding the other side’s field is smart organizing. The more we know about who might run and what they have done in office, the better we can talk to neighbors about records and policies. That means debating ideas and results, not insulting anyone.
It also helps to know where we stand. Our guide to Democratic Party platform issues lays out the priorities we are fighting for. And the road to 2028 runs straight through this fall.
The midterms come first
Before any of these candidates can take the stage, there is Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. All 435 House seats, about a third of the Senate and 36 governorships are on the ballot. Those results will shape the political landscape heading into 2028. See 2026 midterm elections: what’s at stake for 2028 for the full picture.
History shows what a motivated electorate can do. Read about it in our explainer on blue wave meaning and the history of wave elections.
The map these candidates will have to win
Whoever ends up as the Republican nominee needs 270 of 538 electoral votes, just like the Democratic nominee. The 2028 election uses the electoral map from the 2020 census apportionment. If you want to understand why a few states get so much attention, read how the Electoral College works and why 270 matters.
Then dig into the 2028 electoral map and battleground states. Georgia, where one potential Republican candidate is governor, is among the states worth watching.
Key dates to put on your calendar
- General election: Tuesday, November 7, 2028
- Electors meet: December 18, 2028
- Inauguration: January 20, 2029
For more, see when is the 2028 presidential election and our 2028 election key dates calendar.
What you can do right now
You do not have to wait for a candidate to declare to make a difference. Registration, volunteering and conversations with friends all matter this fall and every fall after.
Take action: Check your voter registration today at vote.gov, where every state’s official rules, deadlines and online registration links live. Then text one friend and ask if they are registered too. Not sure where to start? Our guide to how to register to vote in every state walks you through it.
Rules and deadlines differ by state, and some states offer same-day registration with different requirements. Always confirm the details on vote.gov or with your state election office. North Dakota is unusual because it has no voter registration at all.
Want to go further? Knock doors, make calls or join a local campaign for November 3. Every race on the ballot this year builds the organizing muscle we need in 2028.
Key takeaways
- As of our October 2026 check, no major Republican has formally declared a 2028 presidential run.
- The most widely reported potential candidates are JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz and Brian Kemp.
- Republicans are expected to keep Iowa first, but the GOP calendar is not final.
- The 22nd Amendment limits a president to two elected terms.
- The general election is Tuesday, November 7, 2028, and the midterms on November 3, 2026 come first.
- Check your registration at vote.gov and volunteer now.
Last updated October 2026. Dates and candidate news change fast; we update this page as things are announced.
Want to see how the Democratic side looks? Browse everything in our candidates category.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the 2028 Republican candidates?
As of our October 2026 check, no major Republican has formally declared a 2028 presidential run. The most widely reported potential candidates are JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz and Brian Kemp. On the Democratic side, Cory Booker is among those mentioned as a potential contender. We will update this page as announcements happen.
Has JD Vance announced a 2028 run?
No. JD Vance is the sitting Vice President and is widely reported as a potential 2028 candidate, but he has not formally declared. Until someone files and announces, every name on the list is only a possibility.
Can Donald Trump run again in 2028?
The 22nd Amendment limits a president to two elected terms. Our separate explainer walks through the amendment and the questions people ask about it, so you can see exactly what the text says and does not say.
Will Iowa go first for Republicans in 2028?
Republicans are expected to keep Iowa first on their 2028 calendar, according to RNC reports from September 2026. The GOP calendar is not final, so treat that as expected rather than settled.
When is the 2028 general election?
The general election is Tuesday, November 7, 2028. The Electoral College meets December 18, 2028, and the next president is inaugurated January 20, 2029. To register or check your status, use vote.gov or your state election office.