<p>Vice President JD Vance addressed questions regarding support for potential presidential candidates Sen. Ted Cruz and War Secretary Pete Hegseth for the 2028 election, suggesting he might back another Republican candidate instead of himself.</p>
<p>Both Cruz and Hegseth have reportedly discussed their ambitions to succeed President Donald Trump. Cruz, who finished second to Trump in the 2016 Republican primary, has expressed interest in running in interviews.</p>
<p>Vance, considered a leading contender for the 2028 GOP nomination, has not officially announced his candidacy. He previously indicated that he would make a decision after the midterm elections.</p>
<p>During a press briefing at the White House, which was the first following the departure of former press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Vance was asked about the potential candidacies of Cruz and Hegseth but refrained from endorsing either, referring to the question as an “innovative way to ask” about the 2028 race.</p>
<p>“First of all, I’d encourage any Republican, if you care about the country — and I think all of us do — you should be focused not on a job a few years from now,” Vance stated. “What I’m focused on is trying to get as many Republicans elected as possible so that we can do as much good as possible for the second two years of the Trump administration. That’s a long time. There’s a lot of opportunity there.”</p>
<p>Despite this, Vance acknowledged he could support various candidates, praising both Cruz and Hegseth. “Pete is a great guy,” he said. “And on Ted Cruz, I mean, look — clearly Ted is a very authentic and likable guy, and I’m sure he’ll do great.”</p>
<p><strong>Source: Washington Examiner</strong></p>