Pence Contemplates 2028 White House Run, Calls for Conservative Principles

Former Vice President Mike Pence is considering a potential bid for the White House in 2028. Speaking to Fox News Digital, he acknowledged receiving encouragement from people across the nation for a presidential run.

Pence cautioned his party about recent electoral setbacks in the 2026 midterm elections. He warned that Republicans might face further defeats if they stray from traditional conservative principles long established within the party.

At a September event at the Economic Club of Washington, Pence stated he had no current plans to run for president or any other office in 2028. However, during a post-midterm interview, he hinted at the possibility, noting he has received encouragement to consider entering the race.

“We’ve been hearing from a lot of people around the country. I’ve been very humbled by that,” Pence remarked, though he provided no timeline for his decision.

Pence stressed the importance of winning the presidency in 2028. He stated, “The most important thing is that we win the presidency in 2028. And to do that, it will be essential that we focus first on what we’re for before we focus on who we’re for.”

He emphasized the need to return to core Republican principles: strong defense, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the right to life. Pence believes these are critical regardless of the nominee.

Pence partially blamed the GOP’s poor midterm results—where Democrats gained a House majority and regained the Senate—on a shift away from traditional conservatism under President Donald Trump’s second term. He described the midterm results as “the wreckage of the 2026 midterm elections.”

White House Spokesman Davis Ingle commented, “Mike Pence’s total and complete lack of courage caused untold damage to our great country. If Republican voters cared what Mike Pence had to say, he wouldn’t have had to drop out of the presidential race months before the Iowa caucuses.”

Pence mentions a focus on advocating for conservative principles as his current calling, saying, “I don’t know what the future holds, but all of my energies, all of my focus and my calling now is to be a champion and an advocate for the conservative principles that have defined our party.”

Asked whether he would support Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the GOP nomination, Pence stated that he is looking for leaders who support the traditional conservative agenda.

He criticized those on the populist right who question adherence to the “Reagan tradition,” pointing to the midterm elections as an indicator of their approach to Republicanism.