Trump-backed candidates surge in Republican primaries as JD Vance eyes 2028 run

President Donald Trump continues to shape Republican primary contests, endorsing Rep. Andy Biggs in the Arizona gubernatorial race and supporting other candidates in congressional contests across the state. Biggs, a former Freedom Caucus chairman, leads the field to challenge Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November, while Trump also backs candidates such as Rep. Ken Paxton in Texas and former Arizona Cardinals player Jay Feely for a House seat.

In parallel, former Senator JD Vance is positioning himself for a presidential bid in the 2028 election, with a potential announcement expected around the 2026 midterms. Vance has secured the backing of Senator Marco Rubio, and political analysts note that the post‑Trump Republican coalition remains robust, comprising working‑class voters, Latino growth, and defectors from the Democratic Party. However, internal GOP disputes over U.S.–Israel policy and the war in Iran are fragmenting the party’s unity as it looks ahead to future national contests.