Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt is gaining attention as a potential running mate for Vice President J.D. Vance in 2028, as the first-term Republican builds a closer relationship with Vance.

Schmitt, 51, entered the Senate in January 2023 after serving as Missouri’s attorney general and state treasurer. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, along with positions on the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Commerce committees.

According to Axios, Schmitt has grown close to Vance and is now being viewed as a potential contender for the vice presidential slot if Vance seeks the White House in 2028.

The report, citing people familiar with Vance’s thinking, said the vice president views Schmitt as “trustworthy, intelligent, articulate and a deft political operator.”

Schmitt’s background includes a focus on public safety during his time as Missouri attorney general. His office launched the Safer Streets Initiative, a cold case unit and an effort to address a backlog of untested sexual assault kits.

Before becoming attorney general, Schmitt served in the Missouri Senate and as the state’s treasurer. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022 and was sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2023.

The emergence of Schmitt’s name comes as Republicans increasingly look toward the 2028 presidential race, with Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both having been discussed as potential successors to President Donald Trump.

Trump has privately expressed support for Vance succeeding him while continuing to publicly keep the broader 2028 field open. Rubio, meanwhile, has repeatedly avoided committing to a presidential bid and said in September that he had no plans at that time to run.

Rubio has also publicly described Vance as a potential “phenomenal candidate” and said he would support him if Vance runs, while Vance has called Rubio a close friend.

The 2028 Republican field remains unsettled more than two years before the presidential election. Schmitt’s emergence in discussions surrounding a potential Vance ticket nevertheless puts the Missouri senator among the Republicans being mentioned as the party looks toward its next presidential cycle.