GOP Senator Plotting To Challenge JD Vance For 2028 Nomination

[mystery-ak]

GOP Senator Plotting To Challenge JD Vance For 2028 Nomination

Published 20 hours ago

on December 22, 2025

By Trinity Hallinan

Sen. Ted Cruz sat down with a longtime ally last November at an office near Washington’s Union Station to talk politics, the future of the Republican Party and, before long, his own next move.

Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization for America, warned Cruz that “Jew hatred and Israel bashing” were creeping into parts of the right and said Republicans needed to confront it head-on. Cruz, who had already begun delivering speeches condemning antisemitism within the GOP, told Klein he had been getting encouragement to consider a 2028 presidential run.

Klein said Cruz appeared to be “seriously” weighing it.

With President Donald Trump not expected to be on the ballot in 2028, Cruz has increasingly positioned himself as a defender of a more traditional, hawkish Republican foreign policy. He has also taken direct aim at influential MAGA pundit Tucker Carlson, accusing him of spreading antisemitic narratives through his criticism of Israel. Carlson has rejected that charge.

As the feud simmers, Cruz is quietly considering a second White House bid, according to people familiar with his thinking. Such a run would put the 55-year-old Texas senator on a collision course with Vice President JD Vance, widely viewed as a leading contender for the Republican nomination.

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[GtHawk]

Wow no agenda there, Cruz isn’t thinking about or planning…..he’s plotting

[Cyber Liberty]

Hop in Ted, the water's fine!  You'll bring a fresh perspective that would benefit all.

[libertybele]

Hop in Ted, the water's fine!  You'll bring a fresh perspective that would benefit all.

I like Cruz and have for quite a long time. In recent years though he hasn't had the name recognition that Vance or Rubio has.  Many will remember him as the last man standing against Trump's first campaign.  I just don't think that he has a snowball's chance of beating Vance.  Vance is also affiliated with TPUSA which will no doubt help him get votes.

Cruz has always had a decent and powerful ground game, but this time around he's going to need more than that should he run. I believe he has the capability of draining the swamp, something Trump/Vance hasn't achieved -- Cruz could capitalize on that.  Economy?  That will likely boom towards the end of Trump's administration ... so I'm not sure what he'd campaign on to beat  Vance.

IF Cruz doesn't see a clear path forward to winning I don't expect that he'll even run.   Maybe he's hoping Vance will pick him as his VP, but  I  think that slot will go to Rubio.  Cruz certainly  deserves a more important spot  than  Senator, it's just unclear what  that spot may be.

[mountaineer]

Wow no agenda there, Cruz isn’t thinking about or planning…..he’s plotting

The value-laden language is strange. And the article talks about Tucker Carlson, as if he were relevant at all to any decision Cruz might make.

[Fishrrman]

Ted Cruz is Constitutionally ineligible to be president.
We've been through this before.

[Cyber Liberty]

Ted Cruz is Constitutionally ineligible to be president.
We've been through this before.

So was Obama and McCain

[libertybele]

Ted Cruz is Constitutionally ineligible to be president.
We've been through this before.

Neither is Rubio -- but both ran before and Cruz's eligibility was challenged (I believe PA) and it was determined that he was Constitutionally eligible.

Until SCOTUS rules on birthright citizenship, whether we like it or not, those running have been deemed eligible.

[jafo2010]

Constitutionally ineligible?  Since when did that stop anyone from running for POTUS?

Sen Cruz would be wasting his time.  I did not like him when he was running in 2016, and I have not seen anything from him that would have me wanting him as POTUS.

There is no question that JD Vance will be the favorite son runnning in 2028.  He will continue the MAGA mindset for another term if elected.  And in listening to him, he is no dummy. 

The candidate that will win will answer the most relevant question for the electorate the best:

           WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME

I envision Vance will declare a platform that is most relevant to answering that question.  I just do not see Cruz defining that for the American people.

The only challenger I see to Vance is Gov DeSantis, who has clearly proven to be a strong leader in Florida.  Rubio, and all the others holding cabinet positions who once expressed being POTUS in the past have zero chance.

[cato potatoe]

We are a long way out.  Ted Cruz needs to drop 50 pounds and get rid of that mangy beard.  He might emerge as the neocon alternative to JD Vance.

[libertybele]

Constitutionally ineligible?  Since when did that stop anyone from running for POTUS?

Sen Cruz would be wasting his time.  I did not like him when he was running in 2016, and I have not seen anything from him that would have me wanting him as POTUS.

There is no question that JD Vance will be the favorite son runnning in 2028.  He will continue the MAGA mindset for another term if elected.  And in listening to him, he is no dummy. 

The candidate that will win will answer the most relevant question for the electorate the best:

           WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME

I envision Vance will declare a platform that is most relevant to answering that question.  I just do not see Cruz defining that for the American people.

The only challenger I see to Vance is Gov DeSantis, who has clearly proven to be a strong leader in Florida.  Rubio, and all the others holding cabinet positions who once expressed being POTUS in the past have zero chance.

I agree.  DeSantis has been a great governor and has achieved a lot for FL.  Vance is a very vocal and more dynamic speaker who has already clearly started to outline his core principles and what future he sees for this country going forward. He has a connection with people; that has been proven by his speaking at TPUSA events.  DeSantis is not a strong speaker and lacks charisma.   I think he would make a good VP, but even at that he wouldn't draw more voters in. 

[mountaineer]

I agree.  DeSantis has been a great governor and has achieved a lot for FL.  Vance is a very vocal and more dynamic speaker who has already clearly started to outline his core principles and what future he sees for this country going forward. He has a connection with people; that has been proven by his speaking at TPUSA events.  DeSantis is not a strong speaker and lacks charisma.   I think he would make a good VP, but even at that he wouldn't draw more voters in.

Appearance counts for a lot (some may say too much). The voters, in all their wisdom, seem to prefer a tall, glib, and good looking candidate, although there have been exceptions.

Vance is more attractive and comes across as more personable than Cruz, and is a better speaker than DeSantis. DeSantis has a track record as an outstanding administrator, however - something Vance and Cruz lack. Of course, all three would be better than any of the schmucks the Dems might throw into the mix.

[Kamaji]

Appearance counts for a lot (some may say too much). The voters, in all their wisdom, seem to prefer a tall, glib, and good looking candidate, although there have been exceptions.

Vance is more attractive and comes across as more personable than Cruz, and is a better speaker than DeSantis. DeSantis has a track record as an outstanding administrator, however - something Vance and Cruz lack. Of course, all three would be better than any of the schmucks the Dems might throw into the mix.

Sounds like DeSantis would be a good Chief of Staff.