Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday he will not get involved in the GOP’s 2028 presidential primary as several Republican senators consider launching runs to succeed Donald Trump.
“I’m not going to take sides because we’ll have, probably, several senators maybe in that conversation,” Thune said in an interview.
Thune’s comments came after he was reelected to lead the Senate Republicans as they head into the minority come January.
The party’s sweeping loss could remake the 2028 presidential field by taking some shine off Vice President JD Vance’s prospects.
Now some Republicans believe the field could be more open. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who ran in 2016, is flirting with another White House run. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) appeared to reopen the door this week in the wake of the election. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), another 2016 hopeful, and Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) have also discussed possible bids.
In addition to the White House contenders, Thune will have to accommodate senators who seek reelection in 2028 — on what is viewed as a favorable map for Democrats.
Thune himself could be among them. He told POLITICO earlier this year that his “assumption” was he will seek reelection in 2028.
Asked in an interview Tuesday if the midterm results had impacted his thinking, Thune said he is “gearing up and getting things ready and in position, and we’ll probably be making some announcements about that here soon.”
