The race to succeed Donald Trump as the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential nominee remains wide open, and Vice President JD Vance should not be seen as the automatic heir to the MAGA movement, according to Sen. Thom Tillis. In an Aug. 20 CBS News interview, the outgoing North Carolina senator described the GOP primary as a “jump ball,” predicting one of the most diverse fields in modern times. “I don’t see any heir apparent,” Tillis said. Trump recently suggested Vance was “most likely” next in line, arguing the vice president “would probably be favored at this point.” But Tillis questioned that assumption, pointing to Vance’s limited political experience. “He was a senator for two years, and he’s been VP for seven months. He’s a good guy — smart, capable, articulate — but still has to prove he’s got the chops.” While Trump cannot run again under the Constitution, he continues to hint at the idea of a 2028 campaign, fueling speculation within the party. Tillis, first elected in 2014, has often broken with Trump, most recently voting against his sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” despite Vance casting the tie-breaking vote to pass it. Meanwhile, Tillis’s decision not to run for reelection in 2026 sets up one of the most competitive Senate races in the country. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is the early favorite for his party’s nomination, while North Carolina GOP chairman Michael Whatley has launched his campaign following Lara Trump’s decision not to run.
