More and more Hill Republicans are looking at Marco Rubio for 2028
A growing number of Republicans on Capitol Hill want to draft Marco Rubio for a 2028 presidential bid as they grapple with their midterms wipeout — and look beyond Vice President JD Vance.
- One thing is clear, the 2028 presidential race is now wide open, many Hill Republicans argue as they process Tuesday’s….
- Rubio himself this week has stood by Trump’s decision to go to war against Iran and told reporters Monday he was “just not going to talk about 2028 anymore.” A person close to Rubio said the secretary of State is the only person who knows what he will do regarding a presidential bid.
- “I think Rubio is our best hope to lead Republicans out of this wilderness, and I hope he makes his break from Trump and JD early next year,” said one House Republican in the wake of the election.
However, as the Rubio talk swirls, even some of Trump’s top MAGA allies on Capitol Hill are unwilling to publicly declare Vance the presumptive GOP nominee for 2028.
Right now, he’s “fully focused on doing his many jobs and isn’t thinking about 2028.” But some Hill Republicans aren’t giving up hope.
- Several lawmakers said they’ve spoken to people close to Rubio who have suggested he isn’t interested in pursuing a 2028 bid, even after Tuesday’s results.
- “I’m a big supporter of Marco Rubio, and I’m very excited about the potential of his candidacy,” said Florida Rep.
- The generational losses are sparking new discussions among Hill Republicans about who should lead the party.
- Many argue the race to carry the mantle is now wide open — including a faction who view Rubio as a better fit, given that voters may continue to tie Vance to the president’s unpopularity, interviews with roughly two dozen GOP lawmakers reveal.
- The openness toward Rubio — or any other candidate that’s not Vance — is a complication for the vice president, who was picked by Trump for the role that’s next in line to the presidency.
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