[Edaily Reporter KIM YOON JI ] With the Democrats securing a landslide victory in the U.S. midterm elections, attention in American political circles is already turning toward the 2028 presidential election. Since President Donald Trump is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, both the Republican and Democratic parties must now seek new presidential candidates.
On the 5th (local time), the Financial Times (FT) reported that politicians considering a run in the next presidential election are expected to begin full-scale preparations over the coming weeks, including gauging the sentiments of key donors and visiting states where primary elections will be held. There have been numerous instances in the past where the presidential race began immediately after midterm elections. President Trump announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election in November 2022, and former President Barack Obama also officially declared his bid for the 2008 presidential election in February 2007.
The results of this midterm election are expected to have a significant impact on the next presidential race for both parties. For Republican candidates, a key challenge has emerged: whether to distance themselves from President Trump following the election defeat or to secure his support to gain an advantage in the party’s primary. The Democratic Party is searching for a new figure who can translate its landslide victory in this midterm election into a win in the 2028 presidential election.
◇ Republicans: From Vance to Trump Jr.
Within the Republican Party, Vice President J.D. Vance is cited as President Trump’s most likely successor. Vice President Vance hails from the populist and non-interventionist faction within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) camp and enjoys the support of young conservatives and major tech investors. Given his position as the incumbent vice president, he is considered to have an edge over his rivals in terms of public recognition and fundraising capabilities.

However, negative assessments stemming from the Trump administration’s war with Iran and its failure to curb inflation pose a burden. Perhaps mindful of this, Vice President Vance directly attributed the Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections to the war with Iran the day after the election. On X, he said, “If you want to argue that the war was worth it—that it was worth losing the Senate for the next six years—go ahead.”
Historical precedent—which shows that it is difficult for a sitting vice president to be elected president—is also a stumbling block. Over the past 190 years, only one sitting vice president, former President George H. W. Bush, has been elected president.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is considered Vice President Vance’s strongest rival. While Secretary Rubio has won the favor of Trump’s core supporters through his loyalty to President Trump, he is also viewed as a figure closer to traditional Republican values. As a result, analysts suggest he has appeal among older conservatives and mainstream Republican donors as well.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, President Trump mocked his rival Rubio by calling him “Little Marco.” However, in his second term, he has shown his trust in Rubio by appointing him as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor and involving him deeply in major foreign policy decisions.

Others include Donald Trump Jr., President Trump’s son; Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who could serve as an alternative for those seeking traditional Republican conservatism; and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
◇ From Newsom, Who Sparred with Trump, to “Sniper” Ossoff
Within the Democratic Party, California Governor Gavin Newsom is being mentioned as a major presidential contender. Last year, Governor Newsom established himself as the Democrats’ leading challenger by mocking President Trump and attacking his key policies on social media. Last week, he even predicted a “blue tsunami” (a landslide Democratic victory) that would sweep the nation.
His image as a progressive elite from the West Coast is cited as a weakness. The FT suggested that because this image worked against former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, the Democratic Party may be looking for a candidate who can appeal to a broader base of voters.

Georgia Senator John Ossoff is also rapidly emerging as a next-generation presidential contender. He proved his political competitiveness by comfortably winning re-election in Georgia, a battleground state, during this midterm election.
During his campaign, Senator Ossoff drew attention with speeches reminiscent of former President Barack Obama. In particular, he emerged as a “Trump critic” by intensely criticizing President Trump’s accumulation of personal wealth during his presidency, his failure to curb inflation, and his missteps in the Iran conflict. His remarks targeting Natalie Haf, one of President Trump’s closest aides, also became a hot topic.

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Although Senator Ossoff has drawn a clear line, stating he has “absolutely no interest” in running for president, betting firms rate him as a leading contender in the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination race.
The possibility of former Vice President Harris making another run is also being discussed. This is because, despite her defeat by President Trump in the 2024 presidential election, she still enjoys significant support within the Democratic Party. However, she still faces the burden of defending the Biden administration’s economic and foreign policies—which failed to resonate with voters at the time—as well as its overall governance record.
In addition, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading progressive figure in the Democratic Party, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a moderate, are also being mentioned as potential presidential candidates.