Overview
- The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Cruz has privately asked people if they would work on a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
- Cruz has stepped up visible activity in Iowa, appeared on podcasts and promoted a new book as part of what reporters describe as testing the waters for a run.
- He has publicly criticized Vice President J.D. Vance’s role in a collapsed memorandum of understanding with Iran, saying “JD negotiated the MOU with Iran. That was a terrible deal.”
- Early Harvard CAPS/HarrisX polling shows Vance with a commanding lead among likely Republican nominees, with about 44% support, and Vance allies privately dismiss Cruz as a major threat.
- President Donald Trump has praised Cruz as talented but has not formally endorsed him, and party operatives say the outcome of the November midterms will heavily influence endorsements and 2028 decisions.