Republicans weigh 2028 reset after midterm losses, Vance blames Iran war

Democrats won control of both the Senate and the House in the US midterm elections, prompting senior Republicans to reassess their strategy and Vice President JD Vance to blame the Iran war for the party's losses. Vance stated on X that the war caused the defeat, citing former Trump voters switching sides over the conflict and US ties to Israel. He urged supporters to channel their anger into electing Republicans who share their worldview, as the party faces a leadership rethink. Vance is the frontrunner for the 2028 Republican nomination, polling at 40 percent, but faces challenges distancing himself from Trump. Other potential candidates include Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Ron DeSantis, who called the results an "extinction-level event" for the party.