Vice President JD Vance disclosed during a CBS News town hall that he may not seek the presidency in 2028. When asked by Tony Dokoupil, “Is there a chance you don’t run for president in 2028?” Vance responded, “Of course there’s a chance.” He cited his four young children and his wife’s preference for public service over politics, stating she has never been drawn to political affairs.
Vance described himself as a procrastinator who “hates thinking about” major life decisions, adding that his wife would confirm this. He indicated he plans to give the question serious consideration after November’s midterm elections rather than commit to a campaign while the Trump administration navigates its current agenda.
His comments come as Vance is widely viewed as an early frontrunner to succeed President Trump, who has described him as his “most likely” Republican successor. RealClear Polling data shows Vance holding a 15-point lead over Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Republican primary with 39% support more than two years before the election.
Vance’s wife, Usha, acknowledged that she and he often disagree on political issues, describing her views as sometimes “idiosyncratic.” The town hall occurred in Monroe, Michigan, near Detroit, amid preparations for a critical Senate race between Republican Mike Rogers and Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
The discussion highlighted regional dynamics, including Keshon Wheatley, a Detroit barber who voted for Donald Trump in both 2020 and 2024 due to perceived low gas prices during his first term but now plans to support El-Sayed after prices have risen sharply. Vance referenced Iran’s attacks on oil tankers, stating that the nation “has effectively the largest state sponsor of terrorism” attempting to choke off global energy supply. He argued that allowing Iranian control over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would lead to higher gasoline costs and emphasized U.S. military efforts to ensure ships can pass safely.
When pressed on whether the United States has decisively won the Iran war, Vance said, “In some ways we have won decisively,” but added, “the enemy gets a vote here.” He defended President Trump’s strategy, noting ongoing negotiations with Iran aimed at securing a “final firm commitment from the Iranians that they’re not going to rebuild their nuclear program.”
