By Outgoing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has publicly endorsed Vice President JD Vance as a potential Republican presidential nominee in 2028, adding a prominent voice to early speculation about the post-Trump political landscape.
In an exclusive interview on Fox News Sunday, Youngkin praised Vance as the party’s standard-bearer should he seek the nomination, marking Youngkin’s first public comments on the emerging race to succeed President Donald Trump.
“I think Vice President Vance would be a great nominee,” Youngkin said during the appearance with Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich. He added, “as people speculate on what’s going to happen down the road in 2028, I agree with President Trump and [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio. I think JD Vance would make a great, great presidential nominee.”
The endorsement comes as Youngkin approaches the end of his single four-year term as governor, constrained by Virginia law from seeking consecutive terms or immediate re-election. His upset victory over former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe in 2021 vaulted him to national prominence and fueled early speculation that he might harbor presidential ambitions of his own.
Youngkin has repeatedly downplayed any personal plans to seek higher office, instead emphasizing his focus on governing Virginia and “finishing strong.” In recent years, he has positioned himself as a party unifier and surrogate rather than a contender, a posture reinforced by his explicit backing of Vance.
Vice President Vance has not announced whether he intends to run in 2028, but he is widely viewed within conservative circles as the natural heir to President Trump’s America First and MAGA coalition. That perception gained momentum late last year when Erika Kirk, leader of the influential conservative organization Turning Point USA, endorsed Vance at the group’s AmericaFest summit in Phoenix on Dec. 21, 2025. Turning Point USA’s expansive grassroots network—particularly among younger voters—could prove a significant asset in any future national campaign.
Youngkin’s remarks reflect a broader, if still informal, coalescing around Vance as Republicans quietly look beyond Trump’s term-limited presidency. Still, Youngkin cautioned against becoming consumed by future contests at the expense of nearer-term political battles.
“I think the most important thing we can do, just like Vice President Vance said recently, is stay focused on the here and now. We have to deliver. We have to deliver for Americans and Virginians. We have huge elections in 2026 to keep and expand our majorities in the House and the Senate,” Youngkin said.
He continued, “I just deeply respect the vice president’s reminder that we have to stay focused on today. And if we stay focused on today and deliver results, then Americans will continue to extend our license to lead.”
The interview comes amid intensifying discussions about the Republican Party’s future direction after Trump, with the 2026 midterms looming large and early maneuvering for 2028 already underway. Last November, Vance’s grip on the field seemed to be shrinking, and some of MAGA’s biggest supporters seemed to be abandoning the Trump ship. Youngkin’s endorsement, while forward-looking, adds establishment weight to a growing narrative positioning Vance as a frontrunner in what is shaping up to be an early and competitive presidential field.
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