The 2028 Republican race just got a hat thrown in from an unexpected corner. New polling data reveals surprising matchup results between two top GOP contenders and their potential Democratic rivals.
New polling puts Marco Rubio ahead of JD Vance in several matchups
Secretary of State Marco Rubio outperforms Vice President JD Vance in hypothetical 2028 presidential matchups, according to an Emerson College National Poll released Thursday. The survey tested both Republicans against several leading Democrats. Rubio leads former Vice President Kamala Harris and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by identical 48%-43% margins.
Vance, however, narrowly edges Ocasio-Cortez at 46%-44% but trails Harris by four percentage points. Against California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rubio earns 46% while Vance collects 44% support. Still, both Republicans trail the term-limited governor, who nets 49% against Vance and 48% against Rubio.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emerges as the strongest Democratic performer in the poll. He leads both Rubio and Vance by identical 49%-44% margins. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia also outperforms both Republicans in the survey.
Ossoff holds a three-point edge over Rubio at 47%-44% and a five-point lead over Vance at 49%-44%. The Georgia senator recently made headlines for insinuating a romantic connection between President Trump and White House aide Natalie Harp. Buttigieg has recently campaigned with several Democrats in key 2026 midterm races.
Rubio has previously stated he will not seek the GOP nomination if Vance runs. Vance has said he will decide on a 2028 bid after the November midterm elections. Earlier this month, The Washington Post reported Trump privately told donors to support Vance for 2028.
Trump later dismissed that report, telling reporters he thinks Vance is “great” but called it “way too early” for endorsements. He has previously suggested both Vance and Rubio should run together as a ticket. The Emerson College survey polled 1,000 registered voters between Aug. 16-17 with a three-point margin of error.
