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Vance, Cruz, head to Iowa on 2026 missions as 2028 GOP race to succeed Trump heats up

Vance, Cruz, head to Iowa on 2026 missions as 2028 GOP race to succeed Trump heats up

Two of the biggest names in the Republican Party are making stops the next few days in Iowa, a key 2026 midterm battleground state whose caucuses, for a half century, have kicked off the GOP’s presidential nominating calendar. Vice President JD Vance and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas will have the midterms on their minds during their visits, which come with just over six months to go until this year’s elections, when Republicans will be defending their slim Senate and razor-thin House majorities. But the moment the midterms are over, the next presidential race officially gets underway. So the trips by Vance and Cruz may also pay dividends if either moves forward and launches a 2028 White House run in the race to succeed term-limited President Donald Trump. With three competitive House seats as well as what are expected to be close Senate and gubernatorial showdowns, veteran Republican strategist David Kochel said: “Iowa’s important.” KAMALA HARRIS FUELS MORE 2028 SPECULATION WITH A STOP IN THIS KEY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATE “Because of how competitive Iowa looks to be right now… there’s going to be a lot of money coming in and a lot of attention paid and because it’s Iowa, I think we’ll have a pretty healthy parade of 2028 potentials coming through to try to do what they can to help in the midterms,” Kochel emphasized. “It’s the best excuse to come to Iowa and get to know people and get seen and road test some messaging.” Cruz heads to Iowa on Friday, when he’ll deliver the keynote address at the Annual Spring Kickoff for the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition, a very influential Iowa social conservative political advocacy group. The title of the firebrand conservative senator’s speech is “Constitutional Courage — ‘Cruzing’ Toward Victory: A Roadmap for 2026.” Cruz won the 2016 Iowa presidential caucuses and was runner-up to Trump in that cycle’s combustible GOP presidential primaries. The senator took a hard look at making another run in the 2024 cycle before deciding to seek re-election to the Senate. “There will be plenty of time to make those decisions. I don’t have an announcement for you today,” Cruz answered when asked by Fox News Digital recently if he was seriously considering another White House campaign. STEPHEN A. SMITH WARNS ‘NOT A DAMN SOUL’ CAN BEAT VANCE-RUBIO TICKET IN 2028 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION But he appears to be laying the groundwork for a possible bid, as he positions himself as a conservative alternative to Vance, who is currently the odds-on favorite to be Trump’s MAGA and America First heir. Cruz has grabbed plenty of attention with his clashes with far-right figures, such as Tucker Carlson, and he’s enhanced his already strong standing among conservative leaders and donors. And he’s bolstered his grassroots outreach with his popular and widely downloaded podcast, “Verdict with Ted Cruz.” Vance stops in Iowa on Tuesday, when he’ll appear with Republican Rep. Zach Nunn, who’s facing a tough re-election this year in a swing district in the southwestern portion of the state. The trip — Vance’s first as vice president to either Iowa or New Hampshire, which follows Iowa and holds the first presidential primary in the GOP’s nominating calendar — comes before what is widely expected to be a Vance 2028 campaign for the White House in the race to succeed his boss. WHITE HOUSE RACE UNDERWAY: WITH 2026 LOOMING, BOTH PARTIES ARE ALREADY PLAYING FOR 2028 “He’s going to get a lot of exposure and TV coverage,” Kochel said of Vance. Vance has demurred when questioned about 2028, labeling speculation as “premature” and “disloyal” to Trump. He has said he’s focused on his job as vice president and on helping Republicans defend their slim Senate and fragile House majorities in the midterms. But Vance has built a political team of advisers who, if he runs as expected, would quickly build out a presidential campaign. While Vance is the clear front-runner in the very early 2028 Republican presidential nomination polls, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has seen his support for a possible presidential bid soar this year, thanks to an increase in his responsibilities and public profile, most recently around the U.S. operation in Venezuela and the Iran war. Rubio — who as a senator from Florida was part of the large field of GOP White House contenders who Trump defeated en route to winning the 2016 presidential election — finished a strong second to Vance last month in the 2028 Republican presidential nomination straw poll at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Partially fueling Rubio’s rise is Trump, who has lavishly praised his secretary of state. The president recently declared that Rubio would go down as “the greatest secretary of state in history.” ‘ROCK STAR’ NEWSOM STEALS THE SHOW AT DNC SUMMIT AS DEMOCRATS HUNT FOR 2028 CONTENDER TO TAKE ON TRUMP Trump has also promoted a Vance-Rubio ticket — calling it “unstoppable” a few months ago — but has not said who should be at the top of the ticket. But the president did say last year that Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent. “In all fairness, he’s the vice president,” Trump added. Rubio told Vanity Fair late last year, “If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him.” Regardless, Republican sources earlier this year confirmed to Fox News that a group of GOP donors who support the secretary of state are quietly working on ways to boost Rubio’s political profile. That’s not sitting well with some in the president’s political orbit. “Vice President Vance is the future of the Republican Party, and Marco Rubio is one of his closest friends in the administration,” an operative in Trump’s political orbit told Fox News. “The divisive stories from some donors trying to cause chaos are not helpful,” the operative, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, emphasized. Vance has also weighed in, telling Fox News’ Martha

Arsenal vs Fulham: Premier League – teams, start, lineups, title race

Arsenal vs Fulham: Premier League – teams, start, lineups, title race

Who: Arsenal vs FulhamWhat: English Premier LeagueWhere: Emirates Stadium, London, United KingdomWhen: Saturday, May 2, at 5:30pm (16:30 GMT)How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 13:30 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream. For all the talk of ‌Arsenal having blown their Premier League title hopes after being reeled in by Manchester City, the truth is that come ⁠Saturday, they could have re-established ⁠a six-point lead to pile the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list City’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on April 29 meant that, having trailed by 10 points a few weeks earlier, they were able to knock Mikel Arteta’s side ⁠off the summit for the first time since October. Momentum appeared to have shifted completely, but the fixture schedule may have come to Arsenal’s rescue as they try to clinch a first English crown since 2004. How can Arsenal re-establish their Premier League lead so quickly? With City otherwise engaged in FA Cup semifinal action last weekend, Arsenal ⁠ground out a 1-0 home win over Newcastle United to end a four-match losing streak in domestic competitions. On Saturday, they host London rivals Fulham while City do not play again in the league until Monday, when they face a tough-looking trip to European-chasing Everton. While City would have two games in hand before they kick off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the prospect of again having to make up a six-point gap with ‌absolutely no margin for error would be a serious test of their resolve. Advertisement How do Arsenal and Fulham shape up for Premier League clash? According to data analysts Opta, Arsenal are still favourites to end the season on top – but that could all change if they stumble against Marco Silva’s Fulham. Sitting in 10th place with four games, Fulham are still very much in the hunt for European qualification and will be looking to exploit any Arsenal fatigue after Arteta’s side’s 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semis on Wednesday. “We will go there with no fear, and play for the badge,” Fulham midfielder Josh King said. Stat attack – Fulham at Arsenal History will be a considerable comfort, however, to Arsenal fans struggling to cope with ⁠the title-race tension. Fulham have played 32 times away to Arsenal in all competitions and never won. City’s record ⁠at Everton is equally impressive, though, losing none of their last 18 in all competitions and winning 15 of them and drawing three. Whatever the outcome of Arsenal’s derby with Fulham, a City win at Everton would then give them the chance to crank up the pressure as their next league game at home to Brentford ⁠comes the day before Arsenal’s trip to West Ham United, a fixture being described as Arsenal’s toughest in the run-in. What happened the last time Arsenal played Fulham? Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0 in the reverse fixture between the sides earlier this season at Craven Cottage. Leandro Trossard scored the only goal of the game on October 18, in the 58th minute. The home side failed to register a shot on target, while Arsenal managed five and had a 63 percent share of possession. When did Fulham last beat Arsenal? The west London club secured a 2-1 home win in the Premier League two seasons ago. Raul Jimenez and Bobby De Cordova-Reid scored the goals to turn the game around following Bukayo Saka’s fifth-minute opener. Head-to-head This will be the 67th meeting between the sides, with Arsenal winning 44 of the encounters and Fulham claiming the spoils nine times. The first match between the sides came in 1904 in an FA Cup tie that Arsenal won 3-2. The next game came 10 years later when the sides met in the league for the first time, with Fulham exacting revenge with a 6-1 home win in the old Division Two. Arsenal team news Both the German and fellow forward Eze were injured in the Premier League win against Newcastle last week, but the latter shrugged off his knock to appear as a substitute against Atletico. Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are both definite absentees through injury, but Riccardo Calafiori returned to the bench for the Champions League game in midweek and could be in line for a start. Advertisement Arsenal predicted starting lineup Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze Fulham team news Former Tottenham winger Ryan Sessegnon could return from a knock sustained in Fulham’s last outing, but Alex Iwobi’s thigh problem means he will not face his former club. Kenny Tete and Kevin remain confirmed absentees. Fulham predicted starting lineup Leno; Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Lukic; Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze; Jimenez Adblock test (Why?)

Condemnation and protests against Israel’s raid of Gaza aid flotilla

Condemnation and protests against Israel’s raid of Gaza aid flotilla

NewsFeed Israel has provoked international condemnation for its interception of Gaza-bound aid boats in international waters and detention of hundreds onboard, including Al Jazeera journalists. World leaders, rights groups and media advocates are demanding Israel release the Global Sumud Flotilla detainees. Published On 1 May 20261 May 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)