Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff says he has absolutely no desire to run for president.
The freshman Democrat shut down all White House speculation during a Wednesday interview, declaring he has "zero interest" in seeking the presidency in 2028. When the interviewer pushed him on it, Ossoff doubled down, saying his only goal is doing his current job well, not grabbing headlines. His sharp confrontations with Trump administration officials during recent oversight hearings had fueled chatter that he might be gearing up for something bigger, as reported here. Apparently not.
But while Ossoff is slamming the door shut, the 2028 race is already heating up everywhere else. Over on the Democratic side, California Governor Gavin Newsom just popped up in Michigan this week, holding a string of rallies in one of the country's most critical swing states. The turnout? Let's just say the crowds were on the modest side.
Now here's where things get really juicy. On the Republican side, President Trump reportedly told donors during an Oval Office sit down about two weeks ago that he's backing Vice President JD Vance as his political successor. An anonymous source initially shared that nugget with the Washington Post. Trump praised Vance at a Las Vegas donor gathering on Wednesday, giving him credit for his fraud prevention work and saying, "He's doing a great job."
But hold on, because Secretary of State Marco Rubio is lurking right in the frame. Rubio has been quietly climbing in national polls, early state surveys, and GOP straw polls. At CPAC's closely watched 2028 straw poll earlier this year, Rubio landed just behind Vance in a tight finish. The former Florida senator, who lost the 2016 Republican primary to Trump himself, has taken on expanded responsibilities beyond his State Department duties.
Trump has heaped praise on Rubio's diplomatic portfolio, including efforts involving Venezuela, Cuba, and the Middle East. Earlier this year, Trump proclaimed Rubio could become "the greatest secretary of state in history." That's not exactly something you say about a guy you're trying to sideline.
And then came the bombshell tease. Trump has openly floated a combined Vance and Rubio ticket for 2028, calling such a pairing "unstoppable." The catch? He won't say which one should be at the top. Classic.
Meanwhile, Vance appeared on "The Ingraham Angle" Wednesday night and played the loyal soldier perfectly, emphasizing that Trump calls the shots and the entire administration falls in line when decisions are made.
Rubio, for his part, has publicly stated he would not pursue the nomination if Vance jumps in. Both men have described each other as friends, though political insiders are watching closely for cracks in that friendship as 2028 inches closer.
The real fireworks aren't expected until after the 2026 midterms. But with Trump already whispering his preferences to deep-pocketed donors and multiple candidates jockeying for position on both sides, the next presidential race is already simmering. Grab your popcorn, folks. This one's going to be a spectacle.
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