The Republican National Committee selected Vice President JD Vance to serve as the organization’s finance chairman, marking the first time a sitting vice president has held the role in its history.
“To fully enact the MAGA mandate and President Trump’s vision that voters demanded, we must keep and grow our Republican majorities in 2026,” Vance said in a statement Tuesday. “I am excited to work with Chairman Whatley and the RNC leadership to build the war chest we need to deliver those victories next November.”
Republicans have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House after the November elections.
However, the GOP will have to fight hard to keep control of the House, where Republicans have a slim majority, during the 2026 midterm elections.
Since ascending to the White House, Vance has worked in tandem with the GOP to push through President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees, leveraging his relationships from his tenure as an Ohio senator.
“JD will do a fantastic job as RNC Finance Chair,” said Trump in a statement. “He knows how to fight and win tough races. I’m glad he’ll be working with Michael Whatley to help us secure our elections, get out the vote, and win big next year!”
“Vice President Vance is not only one of our Party’s most talented messengers, he is also a thought leader who has helped remake the GOP into the party of working Americans representing the forgotten men and women of our country,” added RNC Chairman Michael Whatley.
As finance chairman and Trump’s second-in-command, Vance will likely be in a prime position ahead of the GOP primary during the 2028 presidential elections with direct access to key Republican donors who could back his future presidential run.
Vance’s relationships with Republican donors could shore up a fundraising base and ice out money for would-be challengers who would like to succeed term-limited Trump.
One Republican expert told the Washington Examiner that Vance already has the nomination locked up with Tuesday’s announcement.
“At this point, the RNC might as well cancel the 2028 primaries and caucuses,” said Dennis Lennox, a Republican strategist. “There’s no reason to waste everyone’s time to say nothing of all the money on what’s inevitable: the 2028 nominee of the Republican Party will be J.D. Vance.”
Vance succeeded National Finance Chairman Richard “Duke” Buchan III, whom Trump nominated to serve as the U.N. ambassador to Morocco.