The absence of any formal 2028 announcements from major Republican figures, paired with the focus on the November 2026 midterms, keeps "Other" and J.D. Vance nearly even in trader consensus while holding Ted Cruz and Marjorie Taylor Greene in striking distance. Vance, widely viewed as the early polling leader and Trump successor, has repeatedly deferred decisions until after the midterms and emphasized his current role, even as he makes early-state appearances. Cruz has dismissed running talk while signaling long-term interest, and figures like Ron DeSantis continue low-profile positioning without commitments. This uncertainty, plus the procedural reality that announcements often follow midterm results, sustains the tight spread; separation could emerge from post-election filings, endorsements, or shifts in early-state activity.