Looking Ahead to 2028: Possible GOP Candidates

The GOP put up a strong candidate in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Now they need to continue with someone with a similar vision, energy and passion for the American people.

It’s not too early for voters to start considering who can or will step in and fill the shoes of our current president. As I stated in my previous essay, the democrats have a lot of work to do as it relates to finding a potential candidate for president in 2028. In my opinion, their bench is weak and the majority of the possible candidates do not represent the values of the American people. The landslide victory by President Trump is proof that the American people are tired of being used as pawns in the government’s machine and want a president and a government that is really for the people.

In this essay, I’m going to provide you with the names of five people I feel could possibly be GOP candidates for president in 2028. In my opinion, the GOP has a strong bench filled with youth, new ideas, energy and a desire to build up America instead of tearing it down. The GOP put up a strong candidate in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Now they need to continue with someone with a similar vision, energy and passion for the American people.

Before I present my five candidates, let me reiterate the importance of the upcoming midterm elections. Do not fall asleep at the wheel. People are think about 2028 but the GOP must secure a strong majority in the house and senate and we the people need to pay close attention to our state and local elections. Our current representatives seem to be asleep at the wheel so we might have to shake things up in 2026.

A lot of names will come and go regarding the 2028 presidential election as we are a long way off, but this is a marathon not a sprint. We the people need to get our running shoes on and begin the long hard run to 2028, today.

Again, no scientific data or polling information will be used or provided. I’m going by my gut and what I have seen in the news. The greatest challenge is only selecting five candidates. Unlike the democratic bench, in my opinion, the GOP bench is deep and strong and will be for years to come. The majority of the information provided for this essay comes from an article written by Julia Manchester from The Hill.

#5: Governor Glenn Youngkin

Governor Youngkin became a hot commodity when he won the governorship in Virginia, a Democrat stronghold going back to 2009. The tipping point came during his second debate against Terry McAuliffe. During the debate, Youngkin stated McAuliffe had vetoed legislation that would have required schools to inform parents about sexually explicit content in educational materials. McAuliffe response was:

• "I'm not going to let parents come into schools and actually take books out and make their own decision... I don't think parents should be telling schools what they should teach"

Youngkin is seen as staunchly conservative but has a broad appeal, stretching outside of the MAGA movement. The popular GOP governor is subject to the state's unusual one-term-at-a-time limit and cannot seek re-election in 2025. Governor Younglin is 58 years old.

Here are some of the notable accomplishments of Governor Youngkin:

• The freshman Republican governor claimed a series of budget victories including $4 billion in tax cuts, $400 million to increase salaries for law enforcement officers, and $100 million to expand the type of institutes of higher education that can partner with K-12 systems on so-called lab schools, an initiative the Youngkin administration says will help foster education innovation. The budget cuts include one-time tax rebates of $250 for individual filers and $500 for couples, the elimination of the state’s 1.5% share of the grocery tax and a nearly 80% increase in the standard deduction for income tax filers. Youngkin said the tax cuts will mean a savings of about $1,100 in the first year of the two-year spending plan set to take effect on July 1.

#4: Governor Greg Abbott

At 67 years old Governor Abbott is the oldest person on my list. He has been the governor of Texas since 2015 and also served as the state’s attorney general. Abbott gained notoriety when he took on the Biden administration and their position on the security of the southern border. His name comes up many times when the southern border is discussed; however, now that it’s secure, and not as big of an issue, his name is not out there like it was. As I’ve stated, time can change the position of any horse in the race, so keep an eye on Abbott.

Here are some of his notable accomplishments:

• Greg Abbott, as the current governor of Texas, has been a proponent of a conservative agenda, supporting policies like a total abortion ban, lenient gun laws, and increased funding for law enforcement. He also played a role in addressing the 2021 winter storm power crisis by advocating for reforms to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and requiring power plant weatherization, according to Wikipedia. In terms of election reform, Abbott's actions have been focused on tightening voter ID laws and other measures aimed at limiting voter access. He has also served a record number of terms as Texas governor, becoming the fifth governor to serve three terms.

#3: Governor Ron DeSantis

DeSantis, who ended his 2024 campaign after a disappointing showing in the Iowa GOP caucus, remains popular in Florida and was reelected by nearly 20 points in 2022 in what was once a swing state. Prior to running for governor, DeSantis, 46, served three terms in Congress. He was elected governor in 2018 after receiving Trump’s backing. DeSantis saw his national profile skyrocket during the coronavirus pandemic, when he encouraged Florida officials to take a more hands-off approach to restrictions and became a vocal opponent of Anthony Fauci.

Here are some of his notable accomplishments.

Click the link to see all he has accomplished in Florida. Although the link goes to an article touting his accomplishments in 2019, stop and think about the “accomplishments” of any potential democrat candidate compared to the accomplishments of Governor DeSantis.

#2: Secretary of State Marco Rubio

• Rubio, 53, began his political career in Florida’s House of Representatives, rising to become Speaker of the chamber before running for U.S. Senate. During his tenure on Capitol Hill, Rubio served as ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Rubio notably had one of the smoothest confirmation processes in the second Trump administration, with his Republican and Democratic colleagues unanimously voting to confirm as secretary of State.

Click on this link to review some of his most notable accomplishments.

#1: Vice-President J.D. Vance

There have been some administrations where the incumbent vice-president was not consider to be the leading candidate following the end of the term of the administration they were a part of. Some notable names are Hubert Humphrey, Dan Quayle and Mike Pence. As I stated earlier, there is a lot of time ahead of us so Vice-President Vance could find his name added to this unfortunate list. At this point in time, in my opinion, he is the frontrunner to replace President Trump. Like the majority of the candidates on my list, he is young, 40 years old. James David Vance (born James Donald Bowman); is an American politician, author, attorney, and Marine Corps veteran. He represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate from 2023 to 2025.

Because Mr. Vance was in the senate for only 2 years and is now the vice-president, his political accomplishments are minimal. His most memorable accomplishment was displayed in front of the nation when he successfully debated both the media and Governor Tim Walz. Going forward, I believe his accomplishments, or lack thereof will be attached to whatever the Trump administration accomplishes. If Trump is able to negotiate better trade deals, put an end to the aggressions in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as bring about the Golden Age in America, Vice-President Vance could find himself as the runaway leader on the road to the White House in 2028.

This essay was difficult to write. One article I looked at presented 13 potential GOP candidates, including names of other possible candidates such as the president's son Donald Trump, Jr., Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, CIA Director Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

I like some of the names on the possible candidates list. 2028 is a long way off. A lot can happen between now and then. Who would have thought a man with a limited political career would become vice-president?

The final essay will compare and contrast the candidates from each party followed by who I believe will be each parties nominee, based on my list and then who ultimately can or will win. In 2027 we’ll know who will be the GOP nominee. Stay tuned, save my essays and don’t forget the importance of the 2026 elections and your state and local elections.