Vice President JD Vance tops CPAC’s straw poll to be US president in 2028

Vice President JD Vance topped the 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) straw poll for potential 2028 presidential candidates, securing 53% of the vote. The annual CPAC poll, held at the conference over four days, surveys attendees on their preferred Republican nominee. While not always accurate, the poll serves as an early indicator of potential contenders. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made significant gains, receiving 35% of the vote, a notable increase from his previous ranking. The conference, known for attracting right-leaning individuals, featured speakers such as Senator Ted Cruz and Reza Pahlavi. Nearly 1,600 attendees participated in the straw poll.

A CPAC poll, conducted at this year's gathering in Grapevine, Texas, showed JD Vance as the top choice for the next Republican presidential candidate with 53% of the vote. Marco Rubio followed with 35%. CPAC, an annual event hosted by the American Conservative Union, is an important gathering for Republican politicians and activists. While the poll isn't a definitive predictor, it offers insight into conservative perspectives. The poll also suggests support for Vance is consolidating, despite rifts within the conservative movement related to issues like foreign policy. Vance also led last year's CPAC poll, while Rubio's popularity has increased significantly since then.