Vice President JD Vance said that the results of next month’s midterm elections will provide information he considers as he weighs whether to seek the presidency in 2028.

Vance acknowledged that Republicans face an “uphill climb” in the Nov. 3 elections but said he has seen signs of “cautious optimism” that voter sentiment could be shifting toward Republicans. He also pointed to the historical difficulty for the party controlling the White House, Senate and House to avoid losses in a midterm election.

Speaking aboard Air Force Two after campaigning in Florida for Republican candidates Sen. Ashley Moody and gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds, Vance said the election results will be among the factors he considers when deciding whether to launch a 2028 campaign.

“You make these decisions by collecting as much information and trying to make a wise decision,” Vance said. “Regardless of what happens over the next 30 days, there will be new information, new things you have to make a decision over.”

Vance has repeatedly said he is focused on serving as vice president and helping Republicans in the midterms before considering a presidential campaign. He declined to speculate about whether significant Republican losses would affect his plans, saying voters will make the decision and he will then have “new information to consider.”

Vance also addressed a potential 2028 rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has said he wants to be part of the discussion over the Republican presidential nomination. Vance said Cruz is clearly preparing for a presidential campaign while he is focused on the midterms.

“It is really obvious to me that, at this very moment, Ted Cruz is running for president,” Vance said. “At this moment, I’m not. I’m trying to help elect Republicans.”

Cruz has been campaigning and raising money for Republican candidates across the country, including Senate candidates in several states expected to play an important role in the 2026 elections.

Vance also defended the Trump administration’s record while acknowledging voter frustration over high gas prices and other affordability concerns. He argued that Republicans need to highlight their accomplishments while telling voters they inherited difficult conditions from the previous Democratic administration.

The vice president also discussed artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of data centers. He said local concerns about data centers can be legitimate when communities do not share their economic benefits or face higher electricity costs.

On AI, Vance warned against responding to legitimate technological risks with regulations that could shield technology companies from liability. He compared the current public reaction to AI fears to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that the risks should be addressed with policies tailored to the actual threats.

“My fear with AI right now is that we respond not by forcing more responsibility on the companies that are creating the products but by creating a regulatory regime that actually shields them from liability,” Vance said.