As speculation builds around Vice President JD Vance’s possible run for the White House in 2028, second lady Usha Vance said she is keeping an “open mind and open heart” about what could come next for her husband's political future.
In an interview with Fox News' "Fox & Friends", which aired Aug. 26, Usha Vance said she was open to whatever her husband chose to do ahead of 2028 and taking it “one step at a time” as the vice president focuses on November’s midterm elections.
"Whatever it is that he feels is the right thing for him to do, we're going to have a good time doing it," she told host Rachel Campos-Duffy. “We will make the best of it in the best possible way."
The second lady's comments come as JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio
emerge as potential successors to President Donald Trump to lead the Republican Party in the 2028 presidential election.
Vance or Rubio?
So far, Trump has declined to endorse a specific successor for 2028. Still, the president has praised both Vance and Rubio, calling the pair a potential "perfect ticket" during a White House event in May.
"I do believe that's a dream team, but these are minor details. That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstances," Trump said. "I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate."
What do the polls say?
Polling for the 2028 Republican nomination has shown a back-and-forth between Vance and Rubio.
According to a Focal Data/Financial Times poll released Aug. 16, Vance led the field with 42% support, ahead of Rubio at 18%. Donald Trump Jr. and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis trail further back at 10% and 8%, respectively.
Another poll released a month earlier by Emerson College, on July 23, showed a tighter race, with Vance leading the GOP field with 39% and Rubio a very close second at 38%. DeSantis polled a distant third, only netting 5% of GOP primary voters, while 9% said they were undecided.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Usha Vance keeping 'open mind' on potential JD Vance presidential run
