DES MOINES, Iowa — During his visit to Iowa, Vice President JD Vance received an enthusiastic reception from Republicans, who are keenly interested in his potential run for the presidency in 2028. However, their immediate priority is for him to address economic challenges.
Vance’s future is closely tied to President Donald Trump. He could either build on Trump’s successes or be affected by Trump’s declining approval ratings, which have worsened due to an unpopular war in Iran and economic concerns among voters.
On his inaugural visit to Iowa as vice president, Vance campaigned for Republican Rep. Zach Nunn in a manufacturing facility located in a key House district. His strong connection to Trump was evident, as he praised Trump’s tariffs, tax cuts, and aid to the agricultural sector, while steering clear of discussing 2028.
Vance’s alignment with Trump’s agenda is seen as a double-edged sword that could either advance or hinder his political aspirations, according to political operatives and rally attendees.
Iowa GOP strategist David Kochel remarked, “That’s the risk of being part of an administration. This is the Kamala Harris problem.”
Randy Feenstra, a gubernatorial candidate, noted that Iowans strongly link Vance with Trump and are confident in the administration’s ability to deliver positive results for the state. “We’re all in this together,” he said. “We trust Trump and the vice president and what they’re doing, and things are going to be great.”
Iowa Republicans remain loyal to Trump, the 2024 caucus victor who still enjoys strong support among the base. Despite faded campaign signs, optimism persists that Trump, with Vance’s assistance, can guide the economy positively.
Nunn highlighted that Vance’s visit allowed Iowa Republicans to express their desires for the next leader in 2028. However, public patience with the administration’s economic strategy is waning. A recent Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll showed 65% disapproval of Trump’s economic management, with 76% dissatisfied with his handling of cost of living issues. While Vance blames previous policies under Joe Biden for the economic troubles, a POLITICO poll from April found 46% of Americans hold Trump partly accountable for current economic conditions.
The impact of Trump’s policies is acutely felt in Iowa’s agriculture sector. His tariffs have restricted access to markets for U.S. agricultural products, and the conflict in Iran has driven up diesel prices, affecting farmers.
Jake Chapman, a former Iowa Senate president, emphasized that foreign policy and trade negotiations are critical concerns for Iowa Republicans. “A lot of people are thinking about foreign policy in particular, and how that impacts ag inputs and our agriculture economy,” he said.
In his address, Vance admitted the administration has more work to do in fulfilling economic promises. “We got a lot more work to do,” Vance told hundreds of attendees. “We recognize that work. We’re excited about that work. That’s why you sent us to Washington, D.C.”
Discontent with Trump seems to be affecting Vance as well. The same poll indicated 48% disapproval of Vance, slightly higher than other Trump administration officials, including Kash Patel, Pete Hegseth, and potential 2028 contender Marco Rubio.
Rubio’s rising prominence in the 2028 shadow primary adds complexity to Vance’s nomination prospects. Eric Branstad, an adviser to Trump’s campaigns, noted that Vance’s profile might not match Rubio’s, who has handled high-stakes foreign issues adeptly. “They’ve watched the secretary of state completely perform. He’s been put in all of the tough spots, and he has overperformed,” Branstad said. “The vice president is performing great. It’s just not been as noticeable as the secretary of state.”
Vance has laid groundwork for a potential campaign, acting as a surrogate and fundraiser for the GOP’s midterm efforts, and campaigning for Republicans in competitive districts. On Tuesday, he participated in Ohio’s 1st District GOP primary and attended a fundraiser in Oklahoma before heading to Iowa.
Nunn praised Vance’s efforts, saying, “He’s the man who’s leading the charge to win the midterms.”
Despite his focus on current elections, some Republicans are eager to discuss future leadership. Adam Steen, a gubernatorial candidate, expressed enthusiasm for preparing for 2028. “I don’t know why not just start talking about 2028,” Steen said. “We need to know who we’re going to be getting behind. And if they did that now, I don’t think it’d offend anybody. I think it’d be a great thing.”
Vance’s office did not comment on his potential presidential ambitions.
The vice president’s ability to uphold Trump’s political ideology may hinge on his alignment with Trump. Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann stated that the next Republican nominee need not directly appeal to Trump’s base for success. “The Republican Party is multifaceted,” Kaufmann said. “We have MAGA voters… We have Christian evangelicals, we have business, we have Libertarians. I think all of them together are going to unite around some of the basic principles that everybody shares.”
Being Trump’s vice president has its advantages with Republican voters. Even if Vance doesn’t have the same goodwill that propelled Trump in 2024, Kochel believes Vance “gets one of the gold tickets” in the contest.
“[Vance] will be the front-runner going into any caucuses that we have here in Iowa,” predicted Eddie Andrews, another gubernatorial candidate.
Yet, Iowa caucusgoers are known for their thorough scrutiny of potential leaders. Nunn acknowledged that Vance will eventually need to carve out his own path. “Nobody can walk in Donald Trump’s footsteps, because it’s Donald Trump,” he stated.
