United States Vice President JD Vance has begun setting out a political identity of his own after Republicans suffered heavy losses in the midterm elections of 3 November, in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. The result has shaken the Republican Party and opened an early contest over its direction ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Vance, seen as the leading contender for the Republican nomination in 2028, has not announced a run, and President Donald Trump has not endorsed a successor. Since the election, he has publicly offered his own reading of the defeat and sketched the themes of a possible campaign.
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- The result: Democrats won the House and the Senate in the midterms of 3 November 2026.
- Vance’s response: On 4 November, he blamed the war with Iran for the defeat and called for ending it and tackling living costs.
- 2028 outlook: Vance remains the leading Republican contender, but prediction markets cut his nomination chance to about 30 percent, down from 35 percent.
- White House change: On 6 November, Trump named Stephen Miller chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles from Monday, 9 November.
- Other contenders: Ted Cruz, Ron DeSantis and Marco Rubio are also seen as possible candidates.
A Public Reading of the Defeat
Vance moved quickly after the result. In a lengthy post on X on Wednesday morning, he said the war with Iran was the main reason for the losses, writing: “The reason we lost is the war.” He argued that many voters who backed Trump in 2024 had voted for Democrats this time, and that the cost of living was the second-biggest concern raised by voters.
His message also set out a possible platform: ending the war, bringing down living costs and reconsidering America’s relationship with Israel. Trump defended the war throughout the campaign, even as petrol prices rose.
A Crowded Field Takes Shape
The midterm result has encouraged other possible candidates to move. DeSantis, who challenged Trump for the nomination in 2024, noted that Florida was the only Republican stronghold to survive the Democratic wave, while Cruz said an “economic disconnect” had also contributed to the losses. Rubio, also considered a possible contender, has yet to comment publicly on the result.
Observers say Vance faces a difficult balance: he must keep Trump’s base while building an identity separate from an administration voters have just punished. For more international coverage, visit Watan News.
Staff Shake-Up at the White House
Trump responded to the defeat with the most significant personnel change of his second term. On Friday, he announced that Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff, would replace Susie Wiles as chief of staff from Monday. Wiles will move to Trump’s political operation after submitting her resignation on Thursday night.
The change signals that Trump intends to press ahead with his agenda. For Vance, the coming months will show whether his separate identity can survive inside an administration just rebuked at the ballot box.
