Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, fired back at Vice President JD Vance after Vance suggested that Cruz is already running for president ahead of the 2028 election.

In a phone interview Saturday, Cruz called Vance “insecure” and dismissed the vice president’s comments about his political ambitions.

“In my experience, people engage in political bomb-throwing when they’re feeling insecure,” Cruz said. “So he’s welcome to make whatever comments he likes. I’m going to keep focusing on the midterms and helping us win on Election Day in the next 30 days.”

The exchange comes as Republicans prepare for the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with both Cruz and Vance traveling around the country to support Republican candidates. The increasingly public discussion about 2028 has nevertheless brought attention to the potential competition within the GOP for the presidential nomination.

Vance recently said it was “really obvious” to him that Cruz is running for president, while maintaining that he is not currently pursuing his own campaign.

“It is really obvious to me that, at this very moment, Ted Cruz is running for president,” Vance told NBC News. “At this moment, I’m not. I’m trying to help elect Republicans. That’s what I’m going to keep on doing.”

Cruz has not formally announced a 2028 presidential campaign, but he has become increasingly open about his interest in the next Republican presidential contest. In a recent interview, Cruz said he wants to “certainly be part of the discussion” and argued that the Republican Party has not settled on its next presidential nominee.

The Texas senator also ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, ultimately finishing behind Donald Trump. His renewed activity and comments about the party’s future have fueled speculation about another White House campaign, even as Cruz continues to hold elected office in the Senate.

Vance, meanwhile, has also emerged as a potential 2028 contender but has repeatedly emphasized that his immediate priority is the 2026 midterm elections. He has been campaigning for Republican candidates across the country as the party works to maintain its congressional majorities.

For now, Cruz says the focus should remain on November rather than the next presidential race. His response to Vance makes clear, however, that the two Republicans are already exchanging public shots over questions surrounding the GOP’s future leadership.