DALLAS — Vice President JD Vance took center stage last week at a Republican gathering in Dallas, using the event to solidify his standing within the party as a potential presidential contender for 2028. The convention, which brought together candidates, activists, and supporters, was largely designed to promote President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. However, beneath the rally-style atmosphere, discussions about the party’s future beyond Mr. Trump were underway, with Mr. Vance positioning himself as a leading figure to succeed the former president.
Delivering the keynote address on Thursday night, Mr. Vance embraced the spotlight, engaging with the enthusiastic crowd that repeatedly chanted his initials. Unlike the often improvised style of Mr. Trump, Mr. Vance’s speech was more scripted and traditional, focusing heavily on his personal life, including references to the recent birth of his fourth child and the anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s death. Kirk, a conservative activist who was killed last year, was honored during the event, and his widow, Erika Kirk, has endorsed Mr. Vance’s potential presidential bid.
While avoiding direct commentary on some of the party’s most contentious issues, such as the ongoing war with Iran or economic policies including tariffs, Mr. Vance sought to appeal to both the party faithful and more skeptical voters. He urged Americans not to “throw the baby out with the bathwater” over policy disagreements, emphasizing the need for unity amid volatility. Mr. Vance has privately opposed the Iran conflict from the outset, though he publicly defends the administration’s approach while parts of the Republican base remain divided on the matter.
Mr. Vance’s performance also included unscripted moments that energized the crowd, notably a retort to a protester who displayed Mexican and Palestinian flags during his speech. The vice president’s sharp rebuke drew cheers as he challenged the protester’s views on immigration and foreign policy.
Despite being viewed by many Republicans as the frontrunner for the party’s presidential nomination—the crowd at times chanting “48,” a nod to his potential as the 48th president—Mr. Vance still faces challenges in uniting all factions of the Trump-aligned base, especially less engaged or irregular voters. Supporters highlight his connections with influential podcast hosts and commentators who reach younger and more diverse audiences as an asset in this effort.
The ongoing jockeying for the 2028 nomination was evident throughout the event, with figures like Senator Ted Cruz of Texas also signaling potential interest in running. Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who frequently comes up in conversations about possible successors, did not attend the convention but has publicly stated he would not run if Mr. Vance enters the race.
Mr. Trump, who remains the dominant force within the party, has neither formally endorsed nor dismissed Mr. Vance’s ambitions. The former president praised Mr. Vance’s speech and his performance as vice president but has indicated that a competitive process to select his successor may unfold, similar to his time on “The Apprentice.”
In addition to his speech, Mr. Vance worked to strengthen ties with activists and donors, attending state delegation events and headlining a fundraiser at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas. There, he also criticized Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, referencing previous controversial remarks made by El-Sayed.
Mr. Vance’s approach at the Dallas convention underlined his intent to balance loyalty to Mr. Trump’s base with an effort to expand his appeal as he prepares for a potential presidential campaign in 2028.