{"id":2569553,"date":"2026-02-13T06:26:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/midterm-elections-give-vance-a-chance-to-build-political-capital\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T06:28:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:28:48","slug":"midterm-elections-give-vance-a-chance-to-build-political-capital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/midterm-elections-give-vance-a-chance-to-build-political-capital\/","title":{"rendered":"Midterm elections give Vance a chance to build political capital"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmidterm-elections-give-vance-a-chance-to-build-political-capital%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2569553&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Washington Examiner article analyzes how the 2026 midterm elections could help Ohio Senator JD Vance build political capital by campaigning for Republican candidates nationwide. With Donald Trump planning to campaign to defend GOP majorities, Vance\u2014who serves as the Republican National Committee\u2019s finance chairman\u2014is positioned to play a central fundraising role, a crucial advantage in a challenging campaign season. The piece notes that Democrats currently hold a polling edge on who should control Congress and that Trump\u2019s job approval is underwater, while historical patterns show the White House party often loses seats in midterms.Nevertheless,Republicans hope that money,registration gains,and a Democratic tilt to the left will help them defy history.<\/p>\n<p>The article emphasizes that midterms are a proving ground for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shapiro-rips-idiotic-vance-defense-of-minneapolis-ice-shooting\/\" title=\"Shapiro rips &#039;idiotic&#039; Vance defense of Minneapolis ICE shooting\">future presidential contenders<\/a> to build relationships and test messages. Vance has already <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >headlined major fundraisers<\/a> and is expected to do more, leveraging his RNC role to connect with top fundraisers and potentially bolster a 2028 presidential bid. It also highlights his involvement in the trump affordability tour and immigration-enforcement debates. Possible Democratic rivals like Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom could pursue similar strategies for 2028. Experts quoted in the piece argue that networking and early campaigning in key districts could pay off later,suggesting Vance\u2019s influence could extend beyond 2026,including possible ticket exposure with figures such as Marco Rubio and discussions around a 2028 run.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Midterm elections give Vance a chance to build political capital<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2503302\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-elections\/\">midterm elections<\/a> will give Vice President JD Vance an opportunity to build up political capital by campaigning for Republican candidates across the country, with the possibility of spending it later.<\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> has already indicated he will be hitting the campaign trail in an effort to protect the GOP&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-shutdown-party-how-democrats-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-the-fight-against-trump\/\" title=\"The shutdown ...: How ... learned to stop worrying and love the fight against Trump\">fragile congressional majorities<\/a>, returning to the hustings after three consecutive runs for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4456840\/exclusive-dccc-ad-buy-asian-americans-lunar-new-year-2026\/\">Democrats launch Lunar New Year ad blitz to counter Trump inroads with Asian Americans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4456727\/munich-security-conference-early-stage-2028-democrats\/\">Munich summit becomes early stage for 2028 Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4456996\/newsom-visit-new-hampshire-2028-run\/\">Newsom to visit first primary state New Hampshire as he weighs 2028 run<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>But Vance is the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-national-committee\/\">Republican National Committee<\/a>&rsquo;s finance chairman, a vital fundraising role in a challenging campaign season where the GOP&rsquo;s monetary advantages will be called upon to counteract history and polling that favors the Democrats.<\/p>\n<p>Republican operatives close to the White House told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> they expect Vance will be in high demand on the campaign trail in the coming months, with one calling him a &ldquo;rock star.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Vance has already been dispatched as part of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a>&rsquo;s affordability tour, in an attempt to regain control of the narrative on inflation and the cost of living. He also played a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4412378\/vance-defends-immigration-enforcement-ice-shooting\/\">prominent role defending<\/a> the Trump deportation program after the first fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minneapolis by an immigration enforcement officer.<\/p>\n<p>But the midterm elections will be a difficult task. Democrats are favored in polls asking which party voters prefer to control Congress, with a 5.2-point edge in the latest <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/polls\/state-of-the-union\/generic-congressional-vote\"><em>RealClearPolitics <\/em>average<\/a>. Trump&rsquo;s job approval rating is 42.1% in the same aggregation of polls, more than 13 points underwater.<\/p>\n<p>The party controlling the White House has lost congressional seats in all but two midterm elections since 1938, with one exception following the unpopular impeachment of then-President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bill-clinton\/\">Bill Clinton<\/a> and the other in the aftermath of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/september-11-terrorist-attacks\/\">9\/11 terrorist attacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans are hoping that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4443476\/trump-huge-cash-haul-gop-chance-defy-history\/\">fundraising success<\/a>, voter registration gains, and the Democrats&rsquo; lurch to the left will help them write a different story. The RNC entered the year with nearly $100 million more than its Democratic counterparts and the Trump MAGA empire boasts a war chest of some $300 million.<\/p>\n<p>But the alliances Vance forms and favors he will be owed by down-ballot Republicans could come in handy beyond this year, especially if he runs for president in 2028.<\/p>\n<p>Possible Democratic rivals, such as former Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\">Kamala Harris<\/a> and Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA), will engage in similar political activities this year with an eye toward 2028.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The midterms are a chance for future presidential candidates to build relationships, test drive messages, and sharpen their political team,&rdquo; said Republican strategist Alex Conant, who served as communications director for Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\">Marco Rubio<\/a>&rsquo;s 2016 presidential campaign. &ldquo;This is a case where the means matter more than the ends. If Vance dedicates himself to helping candidates this year, he&rsquo;ll build relationships that will be useful in a presidential race regardless of the midterm outcomes.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Vance has already headlined multiple major fundraisers and is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalreview.com\/news\/vance-to-continue-aggressive-rnc-fundraising-schedule-into-midterms\/\">expected<\/a> to do more in the coming weeks. His RNC role will help the Ohio populist build relationships, and a track record of success, with the GOP&rsquo;s top money men.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;History will tell you that the best way is to get out to every congressional district possible and help his colleagues win reelection,&rdquo; Republican strategist John Feehery said. &ldquo;By collecting chits, he can build up alliances and a network of support. Richard Nixon most famously did that, but all successful presidential candidates use the midterms as a way to build up their networks.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Nixon served as vice president under Dwight Eisenhower and, like Trump, went on to be the Republican presidential nominee three times and served two terms in the White House.<\/p>\n<p>White House chief of staff Susie Wiles <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/01\/21\/us-news\/inside-trumps-plans-to-go-all-in-on-the-2026-midterms\/\">told<\/a> the <em>New York Post <\/em>earlier this year that Trump is &ldquo;going to campaign like it&rsquo;s 2024&rdquo; this year and &ldquo;behave as though he is on the ballot.&rdquo; Democrats will definitely do the latter, too, making the midterm elections a referendum on Trump.<\/p>\n<p>Vance won&rsquo;t sit on the sidelines either. For the administration, the 2026 elections will be all hands on deck. Democrats won big victories last November that they hope they can build on to doom the Trump legislative agenda.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4449678\/vance-rubio-2028-presidential-ticket-exposure-milan-olympics\/\"><strong>VANCE AND RUBIO GET 2028 PRESIDENTIAL TICKET EXPOSURE IN MILAN FOR OLYMPICS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shortly after the midterm elections, attention will begin to shift to the next presidential race. Republican campaign consultants said Vance could spend this year setting his party up for victory in both.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He shouldn&rsquo;t be waiting for Trump to give his endorsement and he should spend as much time as possible in early primary states,&rdquo; Feehery told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t waste too much time in Washington.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vance to campaign for GOP; Trump on the campaign trail<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2659,"featured_media":2569554,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26023667192400.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[6571,7408,15469],"class_list":["post-2569553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-elections","tag-midterms","tag-vance"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26023667192400.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2569553"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2569557,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2569553\/revisions\/2569557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2569554"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2569553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2569553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2569553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}