My rankings of the 10 Republicans most likely to win in 2028 🏆
It's happening
Unlike the 2028 race for the Democratic presidential nomination, which is already happening in plain sight, the battle to succeed Donald Trump as the GOP nominee in three years time is a much more delicate dance.
That’s because Trump himself continues to toy with the notion — or at least troll his opponents with the notion — that he could run again (for an unconstitutional 3rd term).
At his meeting Monday with the four top Congressional leaders in the House and Senate, Trump made sure that “Trump 2028” hats were prominently placed on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office (and then shared those pics on his Truth Social site).
Whenever the subject of a third term comes up, Trump refuses to simply say “no.” His allies insist he is just trolling — knowing that his refusal to rule out another four years drives the media and the left crazy.
I am somewhat skeptical of explanation. I think Trump would LOVE to be president again in 2029. And, because of that, he doesn’t want to officially close any doors on the idea right now. I continue to believe the Supreme Court would block such a move by Trump. But that doesn’t mean he won’t try it. In fact, I have come to believe he probably will in some way, shape or form.
But, even if Trump’s doesn’t try to run again, we know how little he likes other people in the GOP trying to get any shine for themselves. He wants the spotlight on him at all times and all the way until his second term ends (and maybe beyond).
Given Trump’s primacy and power within the party, no one who wants to be the next Republican nominee can afford to piss him off. Which means they have to make clear they’d love to be the next GOP nominee while also making sure not to be seen as trying to take attention away from the current president.
Like I said: It’s a delicate dance. And it’s why the 2028 GOP race is nowhere near as advanced as the Democratic one.
Nevertheless, I persevere! Below are my rankings of the 10 Republicans most likely to wind up as the GOP nominee in 2028. For the sake of these rankings, I have left the current president off the list because, as I said, I think he would/will ultimately lose a challenge to the 22nd Amendment at the Supreme Court.
In addition to rating the Republican aspirants, I have also included where they stood on my list the last time I did this back in July.
This post — and all future 2026 and 2028 rankings posts — will be behind the paywall. This is the sort of insider information and analysis that I believe distinguishes me as someone calling balls and strikes no matter what uniform the batter at the plate is wearing.
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