The 2024 election is barely in the rearview mirror, but the battle for 2028 might already be decided.
Two of Florida’s biggest political stars just got some devastating news about their presidential prospects.
And JD Vance left Florida’s biggest political names in the dust with this eye-opening 2028 poll.
Vice President Vance dominates early 2028 polling
While Donald Trump’s second term has only just begun, political insiders are already looking ahead to who might carry the America First torch in 2028.
According to a new JL Partners poll released Friday to the London Telegraph, Vice President JD Vance is the overwhelming favorite among Republican voters to be the party’s next presidential nominee.
The poll shows Vance with a commanding 46% support among Republican voters – putting him miles ahead of his closest competition.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who suspended his 2024 presidential campaign after a disappointing showing in Iowa, mustered only 8% support in the survey.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who ran against Trump in 2016 before becoming a close ally, fared even worse at just 6% – tied with Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy slightly outperformed both Florida politicians with 7% support.
Pattern of Vance dominance
This latest poll isn’t an outlier.Â
Recent surveys consistently show Vance with a massive advantage over the Florida duo.
In an Echelon Insights survey, DeSantis and Rubio registered just 7% and 4% respectively.Â
And even in their best recent showing – an Atlas Intel poll conducted in mid-April – both men only reached 9% support, compared to Vance’s dominating 60%.
Caroline Mulvaney, research manager at JL Partners, said Vance is the clear frontrunner, but noted that with many voters still undecided and votes split between multiple names, the race remains fluid.
“While that is concerning for him, it’s too early to say for sure how he should proceed,” Mulvaney said regarding Rubio’s standing. “As the race narrows, it could be that his strong performance and public presence of late starts to work in his favour, where currently the number of possible nominees is diluting the effect.”
Trump’s heir apparent
Vance’s rise from bestselling “Hillbilly Elegy” author to frontrunner for the 2028 Republican nomination has been meteoric.Â
His Midwest heritage and ability to connect with blue-collar workers proved crucial in the Trump-Vance ticket’s 2024 victory.
As Vice President, Vance has embraced his role as Trump’s attack dog and traveling envoy.Â
This weekend, he’ll represent the administration in Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass.
Despite President Trump mentioning both men as potential successors, he has avoided explicitly endorsing anyone for 2028.
“You look at Marco, you look at JD Vance, who’s fantastic,” Trump said in an NBC News interview when asked about who might lead his movement after he leaves office. “You look at — I could name 10, 15, 20 people right now just sitting here.”
Friends, not rivals
Vance has dismissed any suggestion of rivalry with Rubio by telling Fox News that “he is probably my best friend in the administration. We hang out and talk all the time.”
Both men previously criticized Trump before becoming trusted Cabinet members.Â
Rubio has impressed insiders while juggling multiple roles, serving not only as Secretary of State but also as interim National Security Advisor and National Archivist.
But for now, the polling shows Vance with a clear path to the nomination.Â
The JL Partners survey even tested what would happen if Donald Trump Jr. entered the race – he would place second, though the former president’s son has denied any plans to run in 2028.
DeSantis has previously stated he hasn’t “ruled anything out” regarding another presidential bid, saying last year he will “see what the future holds.”Â
But these early polls suggest he and Rubio face a steep uphill battle against the Vice President’s growing popularity within the MAGA movement.
