Media commentators and political analysts are speculating on which candidates will compete for the presidency in the 2028 U.S. election [1].
This early focus on the 2028 cycle underscores the shift in political dynamics as the current administration's timeline progresses. Because Donald Trump cannot run for a third term under the U.S. Constitution [1], the search for a successor has become a focal point for both parties.
Republican potential candidates include JD Vance and Ron DeSantis. Mikhail Delyagin said the most likely candidates are Vance and DeSantis [2]. Other analysts said Vance is a self-evident potential choice for the Republican nomination [1].
On the Democratic side, California Governor Gavin Newsom is identified as a top contender for the 2028 race [3]. The visibility of Newsom in these discussions suggests he is viewed as a primary challenger for the Democratic nomination.
Donald Trump has already mentioned Newsom in the context of the future presidency. In March 2026, Trump said, "Gavin Newsom is the president of the United States" [3].
Rowan Dean of Sky News Australia raised the central question regarding the future of the office, asking, "Who will be the next President of the United States?" [1]. While the field remains open, analysts said there are two obvious candidates for the 2028 Republican nomination [1].
The current discourse highlights a divide in focus between different media outlets. Some reports emphasize the Republican field, while others prioritize the Democratic potential of Newsom [1, 3].
“"The most likely candidates are JD Vance and Ron DeSantis."”
The early emergence of names like Vance, DeSantis, and Newsom indicates that the 2028 election will likely be a battle between established party loyalists and high-profile governors. With the incumbent barred from seeking another term, the Republican party must determine if it will continue the current ideological trajectory or pivot, while Democrats are eyeing Newsom as a potential standard-bearer.
