Vice President J.D. Vance has emerged as the clear favorite among conservative activists to succeed President Donald Trump in 2028, according to a new CPAC straw poll.
The poll, conducted at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas, showed Vance receiving 53% support from attendees.
That puts him well ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who came in second with 35%.
The results highlight Vance’s continued dominance among grassroots conservative activists, even as his overall support slipped from 61% in last year’s poll.
At the same time, Rubio’s surge is one of the biggest takeaways.
Just a year ago, Rubio received only 3% support in the same poll. His jump to 35% signals growing momentum, largely driven by his role in shaping foreign policy during the Trump administration.
The gap between the two candidates is still significant, but the trend suggests a tightening race within the conservative base.
The CPAC straw poll is not a formal election, but it is widely viewed as a key indicator of grassroots sentiment within the Republican Party.
It reflects the views of highly engaged activists who often play a major role in shaping primary contests.
Beyond Vance and Rubio, support for other potential candidates was minimal.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received just 2%, tying with Donald Trump Jr.
Other figures, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R), Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, each received only 1%.
The low numbers for these candidates suggest that, at least for now, the race is largely centered around Vance and Rubio.
Vance’s position is notable given that he did not even speak at this year’s conference.
Despite his absence, he still secured a majority of support, reinforcing his standing among activists.
Rubio, on the other hand, appears to be gaining traction quickly.
His increased visibility and influence in foreign policy discussions, particularly during the ongoing Iran conflict, have raised his profile within the party.
The shift points to a broader dynamic.
While Vance remains the favorite, Rubio is emerging as a serious contender rather than a distant alternative, as the Daily Mail reported.
The conference itself also reflected changing political priorities.
Held in Texas instead of its usual location near Washington, D.C., the event drew activists focused heavily on foreign policy, immigration, and economic issues.
Trump did not attend the conference, choosing instead to remain at Mar-a-Lago as the war in Iran continues.
Even without his presence, his influence was clear.
CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp emphasized that any future Republican leader would need to follow Trump’s model of engaging directly with supporters and maintaining a strong media presence.
“If you want to follow in Trump’s footsteps,” Schlapp said, “you have to be available, quotable, and interactive.”
