Pence leaves door open to 2028 White House run, issues stark warning to GOP after midterm disaster
Former Vice President Mike Pence has not ruled out another presidential bid in 2028, while warning Republicans that they risk further defeats unless they return to traditional conservative principles after the party's midterm disaster.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has left the door open to another White House run in 2028, telling Fox News Digital that he has received encouraging signals from people across the country about a potential presidential bid. This comes after the GOP suffered severe setbacks in the 2026 midterm elections, with Democrats winning a large House majority and regaining control of the Senate.
Party Warning
Pence delivered a stark warning to his party following the midterm disaster, arguing that Republicans risk another defeat unless they abandon departures from traditional conservative principles that have defined the party for decades. He emphasized that "the most important thing is that we win the presidency in 2028. And to do that, I think it will be essential that we focus first on what we're for before we focus on who we're for."
We've been hearing from a lot of people around the country. I've been very humbled by that.
Conservative Principles
The former vice president highlighted his organization, Advancing American Freedom, which has dramatically expanded over the past year, as he plans to "continue to lean into advocating that broad mainstream conservative agenda that's defined the Republican Party for the last 50 years." Pence stressed that "if we don't return the Republican Party to the principles of a strong defense, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the right to life, it won't matter who we nominate in 2028."
Blaming Populism
Pence partially blames the GOP's midterm losses on what he argues is President Donald Trump's second term retreat from conservative principles and toward a populist agenda. He claimed that "this version of Republicanism was just rejected by the American people" in what he called "the wreckage of the 2026 midterm elections." In response, White House Spokesman Davis Ingle criticized Pence, stating his "total and complete lack of courage caused untold damage to our great country."
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Pence said he doesn't know what the future holds but that "all of my energies, all of my focus and my calling now is to be a champion and an advocate for the conservative principles that have defined our party." When asked if he would support Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio if either seeks the GOP nomination, Pence said he would look for "men and women who embrace that historic traditional conservative agenda of the Republican Party."
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