TREY TRAINOR And JIM ELLIS: How JD Vance Can Clinch The 2028 Nomination Even Before Voting Begins

Vice President JD Vance, should he make the necessary strategic moves, could effectively clinch the 2028 Republican presidential nomination before a single vote is cast. But this is hardly a done deal.

His position as the sitting Vice President gives him a substantial advantage. Since 1960, eight vice presidents have run for their party’s nomination, and seven of them secured it. Only Mike Pence, President Trump’s first VP, failed to do so. Of the seven who became nominees, three—Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, and Joe Biden—went on to win the presidency.

Historically, candidates in Vance’s position have strengthened their chances by investing early in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. Building goodwill in these states often translates into early delegate support.

His team needs to cultivate relationships with Republican leaders and support local, state, and federal candidates in the 2025 and 2026 election cycles. Building goodwill and alliances in these states, particularly Iowa, where the first votes are cast, is critical. Many of the political players in these states will go on to be delegates in 2028, and their early support can shape the trajectory of the race.

In parallel, Vance is already building a formidable national fundraising machine. As chairman of the Republican National Committee’s finance operation, the first time a sitting Vice President has held such a position, he has demonstrated an ability to energize donors and generate record-breaking results. At a New York City fundraiser, he raised $2 million in one night, with some couples contributing $250,000. In Nantucket, he brought in $3 million and set a new GOP record for the island. A day of events in Jackson Hole and Big Sky added another $4 million to the RNC’s totals. Under his leadership, the party has raised over $96 million as of mid-2025, pulling ahead of the DNC in both fundraising and cash on hand.

His fundraising numbers suggest the potential for a national campaign and signal growing influence with key GOP donors. However, sustaining that level of enthusiasm over multiple years will be a challenge. The ability to raise money at this level gives him a strategic advantage not just in campaign operations but in cultivating political loyalty and controlling the party infrastructure.