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By Anna Commander
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Nikki Haley, former Republican governor of South Carolina and ex-United Nations ambassador under President Donald Trump, said she is not running for the White House in the 2028 election, as conversations on the potential successor to MAGA begin swirling.
"You know, I am not running in 2028, but I will continue to talk about the things that I care about. I will continue to push good policy. I will continue to support good candidates, and we want a strong America," Haley said in part when asked by CNBC on Wednesday about her future. She added that the Democrats have a "very talented" bench heading into 2028, and Republicans also have a chance for a strong slate.
Following devastating midterm election losses for Republicans, which resulted in losing both House and Senate majority, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has seemingly been critical of the party, saying there was a lack of productivity and voters made their choice as a "rebuke" of Trump and congressional Republicans.
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DeSantis' post-midterm media rounds have sparked intrigue into whether he is considering another bid for the White House. He was asked about a potential 2028 run by CNN's Jake Tapper after Election Day and said in part that he has not "planned anything."
Speculation surrounding Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance's plans have also swelled, as Trump was asked if he thinks he will endorse a candidate in the lead-up to the election. "Maybe I’m better off not getting involved," the president said in part during a 60 Minutes interview broadcast on Sunday.
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What to Know About the 2028 Landscape
On Wednesday, Chris Christie, former New Jersey governor and failed 2024 Republican presidential candidate, took a swipe at DeSantis in an interview on WGIR New Hampshire's New Radio while adding that he is considering a 2028 run himself after the midterm results.
"They've pushed me in the direction of considering it now. Because I think what we've seen is, that anybody the Republican Party nominates, who's worked for President Trump in this administration in the last two years, or is Trump adjacent, is just not going to be elected in the general election," Christie said.
He later said that DeSantis is a "Trump guy" and added that "I think we better start thinking about electing people who have some measure of consistency in their principles and that is certainly not Governor DeSantis in my view."
Following the midterm losses, Trump administration officials speculated on why the results unfolded in such a bruising manner. Vance said that after speaking with a pollster, four areas jumped out, including ending the war with Iran, focusing on the cost of living and inflation, putting America first and changing America's relationship with Israel.
Trump was asked if he had spoken with Vance about 2028 after the midterms last week and said in part, "We'll see what happens. ... You don't know who's talking about running. ... Maybe he won't run, I don't know who's gonna run."
Last month, Vance said he thought the president would endorse him should he launch an official 2028 campaign but added they had not discussed it.
Robert Y. Shaprio, professor of political science at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, told Newsweek on Wednesday, "Nikki Haley is one of the non-Vance choices, someone not tainted so directly by the election debacle in which Vance campaigned. Her not entering the race would benefit Marco Rubio and perhaps more so Ted Cruz who is not a member of the Trump administration."
Shapiro added: "Would she have had a chance to get the nomination-- and might she still if she entered the race? Possibly, since she would have a chance to gain attention and shine during the campaign and especially at any debates. I think candidates will hold off until they get a better sense of what Trump will do in terms of supporting Vance or Rubio -- or even anyone else -- or letting the primary voters decide. If the latter, then candidates would be more likely to jump in and perhaps early to start raising money. But it does not look like Trump will do anything any time soon, since that would distract attention from him and remind voters he is a lame duck president."
Grant Reeher, professor of political science at Syracuse University, also told Newsweek when asked about Haley's comments on Wednesday, "It opens the lane for candidates who want to try the more traditional or moderate Republican path. That would include Marco Rubio, most notably. And further away from Trump, perhaps some others who have made deeper criticisms of his presidency.
"Did she have a real chance of winning? Given the way primaries work, perhaps. It’s too early to rule in or out anyone with basic legitimacy, and she certainly had that," Reeher concluded.
As Republicans attempt to distance themselves from the midterm shellacking and lick their wounds, Rubio's name appears to be floating around. “I hope he runs. I think he’s the best person to communicate, to unify,” Representative Marlin Stutzman, Indiana Republican, told Politico about the secretary of state.
“I’m a big supporter of Marco Rubio, and I’m very excited about the potential of his candidacy,” Florida Republican Representative Mike Haridopolos also told the outlet. “No question he’s ready to be president if he chooses to pursue the office.”
When asked by a reporter this week, Rubio said he is not going to discuss 2028 in "any form or fashion."
Newsweek reached out to the White House and State Department regarding Rubio and Vance's plans. A request for comment was also placed by Newsweek to DeSantis' office.
What Prediction Markets Show
On prediction market Kalshi Wednesday evening, Vance has a 33 percent chance of winning the GOP presidential nomination. DeSantis and Rubio are tied at 16 percent.
On Polymarket, Vance has 31 percent Wednesday evening, Rubio has 18 percent, DeSantis 16 percent and other potential candidates, including Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, have single digits.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins
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