Here’s who we will likely see in 4 years.
As speculation about the 2028 presidential race intensifies, one name stands out: Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. With former President Donald Trump constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, Vance, at 40 years old, has quickly emerged as a frontrunner for the Republican nomination. According to odds from SportsBettingDime, Vance has a 25% chance (+300) of becoming the 48th president of the United States.
Vance’s path to the presidency is clear: as vice president, he would naturally be next in line if Trump is unable to continue in office. While the odds are in his favor, history shows that only five vice presidents have successfully ascended to the presidency since 1933, making Vance’s path a challenge—though not an impossible one.
Following Vance in the odds are several notable figures, including former first lady Michelle Obama (+500), California Governor Gavin Newsom (+550), and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (+800). While DeSantis’ national profile has grown, he too is term-limited in Florida and could pivot toward a 2028 campaign after his tenure as governor ends in 2026. Other names in the mix include Tulsi Gabbard (+1000), former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley (+2500), and media mogul Tucker Carlson (+1400), who has attracted a significant conservative following.
Kamala Harris, currently serving as vice president, is also a possible contender for the Democratic nomination. However, she faces growing skepticism within her party, particularly with her lagging approval ratings and concerns about her political future. Harris could face tough competition within the Democratic primary if she decides to run in 2028, especially given the potential emergence of other figures like Gavin Newsom or even Hillary Clinton, who remains a fixture of Democratic politics despite her earlier loss.
On the Republican side, the race is wide open. DeSantis remains a strong contender, particularly with his record as a governor who has stood up to the cultural left in Florida. His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his vocal opposition to “woke” politics resonate with many conservatives, making him a potential standard-bearer for the party.
Another potential dark horse could be Trump Jr. (+4000), who has gained prominence within conservative circles but faces the challenge of stepping out of his father’s shadow. Similarly, other conservative figures like Elon Musk (+5000) and Tucker Carlson (+1400) might also consider running, though they face their own set of hurdles—Musk, for instance, remains ineligible due to his foreign birth.
The 2028 election could very well be the first since 1976 without a member of the Obama, Bush, Clinton, or Trump families on the ballot. As the Republican field continues to take shape, one thing is certain: it will be a crucial moment for the future of the GOP, as the party seeks a fresh face to carry forward the conservative movement into the next generation.