Vance, DeSantis make quick moves after disastrous GOP midterms jumpstart 2028 race

Tuesday's midterm elections went badly for Republicans, and the fallout has begun reshaping the party's 2028 presidential contest. Vice President JD Vance, long seen as President Donald Trump's natural successor, now faces a murkier road. On Wednesday he blamed the losses on the war with Iran, separated himself from some of Trump's foreign policy choices, and outlined a possible platform built on ending the war, affordability, domestic priorities and a rethink of the U. S. relationship with Israel. He told angry voters they were right to be upset, according to CNN.

Others saw an opening. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said the defeat left the nomination wide open and criticized Vance for backing an Ohio ad by gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who lost to Amy Acton. Iowa conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats expects a field as crowded as 2016's. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has criticized Trump's second term, called the results an extinction-level event for Republicans, and aides read his moves as keeping a 2028 run possible. Sen. Ted Cruz said politicians had dismissed affordability worries, while Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called for a return to conservative principles.

Summarized by PolitiKool from CNN’s reporting. Read the full story at CNN →