Vance favored by AmericaFest conservatives as Shapiro leads Democrat predictions for 2028
AmericaFest attendees expect a Rust Belt tilt and a race shaped by younger candidates and regional dynamics in a post-Trump era.
PHOENIX — AmericaFest attendees anticipate a Rust Belt tilt in the 2028 race, with Vice President JD Vance seen as the odds-on favorite to succeed President Donald Trump and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro emerging as the most-predicted Democrat nominee. Vance would be 41 and Shapiro 52 if both reach the White House, marking a younger set of contenders and potentially reshaping the blue wall Trump cracked in 2024 and the emergence of younger leaders on both sides.
Shapiro has repeatedly dismissed talk of a White House bid, saying he is not an expert on Beltway politics and that he lives in the real world in Pennsylvania where budgets have to be balanced.
Barbara, a resident of Camarillo, California, said she hopes Vance steps into the role and called him a great candidate who comes from the team Trump built. She also named Shapiro as the Democrat most likely to carry the party s mantle against Newsom.
Nick, from Nashville, predicted Shapiro as the most viable Democratic prospect, arguing the Democratic National Committee would be wise to facilitate a Shapiro nomination. He suggested that while other candidates might surface, Trump s footprint will shape who ultimately wins the nomination on the other side.
Karen, from Wisconsin, told Fox News Digital she hopes the GOP selects JD Vance or Marco Rubio, noting a desire for a younger, disciplined conservative leadership. She said she hopes more youth follow leaders like Charlie Kirk to bring the conservative program to the fore.
Gavin Newsom has been declared the Democratic frontrunner by Politico in some coverage of the 2028 race, a point Karen acknowledged while still expressing openness to a Vance or Rubio outcome on the Republican side. Amy from Michigan also predicted Shapiro would be the Democratic nominee, envisioning a contest between Vance and Shapiro for the presidency. Elizabeth from San Diego cautioned that the nomination might not be hers to decide, fearing Shapiro s ascent could overshadow other possibilities, including Pritzker. Ed from San Diego saw Vance or Rubio as the likely Republican standard-bearer after Trump.
A representative for Shapiro s 2026 gubernatorial re-election campaign did not provide comment when reached for response.
As the conversations at AmericaFest unfold, observers note a spectrum of predictions rather than a single consensus. The 2028 field appears to be taking shape around two younger contenders on each side, with the Rust Belt and key swing states expected to influence the outcome more than in prior cycles. The dynamic reflects ongoing debates inside the post-Trump political landscape about leadership style, regional appeal, and the ability to mobilize diverse voter coalitions.
