March 29, 2026 (New York time) – Vice President JD Vance led the unofficial straw poll for the 2028 presidential election at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
The results showed:
- JD Vance received 53% of the vote
- Marco Rubio ranked second with 35%
The significant gap between the two candidates reflects the strong level of support for Vance among conservative voters attending the event.
The CPAC straw poll is often viewed as an early indicator of trends within the Republican Party, although it is not officially binding. This result solidifies Vice President JD Vance's position as the frontrunner for the 2028 race.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues to maintain significant influence within the party, holding a direct competitive position in the succession scenario.
This development shows that the Republican internal race has begun to take shape, even as Donald Trump's current term is still underway.
