2028 Presidential Race: JD Vance Leads Republican Pack in Latest Poll
In a recent poll, GOP Vice President JD Vance is emerging as the clear favorite for the Republican nomination in the 2028 presidential race. His support stands at an impressive 46%, significantly ahead of other notable candidates, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 12% and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 9%. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. trails with 5%.
On the Democratic side, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg holds a slight edge over former Vice President Kamala Harris, leading 16% to 13%. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro follow closely at 12% and 7%, respectively, with “Squad” member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also at 7%. Notably, a substantial 23% of Democratic primary voters remain undecided.
Emerson College Polling Executive Director Spencer Kimball noted that Vance has successfully solidified his position as the frontrunner among GOP candidates since the previous survey in November. His rising favorability amongst Republican voters reflects a growing confidence in his leadership potential.
While Buttigieg is currently leading the Democratic primary, Harris has experienced a decline in support since she garnered 37% of the vote in a previous poll. Observers are speculating whether she is positioning herself for a run for California Governor in 2026 before considering another presidential campaign.
Harris has been vocal about her intentions, stating after her loss to former President Trump that it is “not in my nature to go quietly into the night.” However, she has not made any public declarations regarding a potential candidacy.
Meanwhile, former President Trump recently noted a slight drop in his approval rating, with 46% of voters disapproving of his performance compared to 45% who support him. Although he has not explicitly identified Vance as his successor since naming him as his running mate at the 2024 Republican National Convention, Trump has expressed admiration for both Vance and Rubio. In a recent interview, he stated, “You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, who’s fantastic,” suggesting that both candidates represent the future of the Republican Party.
The latest Emerson College poll, conducted between June 24-25, surveyed 1,000 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. The findings reflect a fairly even split on the generic congressional ballot, with both Republicans and Democrats at 42%.
As the 2028 presidential race heats up, all eyes will be on Vance and Buttigieg as they navigate their respective party primaries. With Vance’s strong showing, the Republican Party seems poised to rally around him as a unifying figure, while the Democrats will have to address their internal divisions as the campaign season unfolds.
The political landscape is shifting, and as the primaries approach, the strategies and decisions made by these candidates will be crucial in shaping not just their futures, but the future of the country as a whole.
