Vice President JD Vance remains the leading choice among Republican and Republican-leaning independent voters for a potential 2028 presidential nomination, according to a new Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has strengthened his standing, signaling growing support within the Republican Party.
The nationwide survey questioned 952 Republican voters and 225 independents who lean Republican, asking them to select from 15 prominent conservative political figures or choose “someone else” or “not sure.”
Vance led the field with 36% support, nearly doubling the 19% received by Donald Trump Jr., who placed second. Fourteen percent of respondents said they were undecided. Combined, Vance, Trump Jr., and undecided voters accounted for roughly 70% of all responses.
While Vance maintained a comfortable lead, both he and Trump Jr. experienced slight declines compared with a similar Center Square poll conducted in October. Rubio, meanwhile, posted gains, earning 9% support overall to finish third. Among Republican-leaning independents, Rubio ranked as the second-most popular candidate.
The poll follows reports that President Donald Trump recently sought donor feedback on both Vance and Rubio during a gathering at his Mar-a-Lago estate. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump asked attendees for their opinions of the two officials, with donors reportedly responding more enthusiastically to Rubio than to Vance.
Trump also highlighted differences between the two during a recent news conference in Florida. Referring to Vance’s approach to foreign policy, Trump said the vice president had been “less enthusiastic” about military action involving Iran and described him as occasionally taking a tougher stance that sometimes requires restraint.
By contrast, Trump praised Rubio’s diplomatic style, saying the secretary of state achieves results with what he described as a “velvet glove” approach.
Despite Rubio’s favorable reception among donors, polling suggests Vance continues to hold a stronger position with Republican voters. A Daily Mail/JL Partners survey conducted in early March found Vance to be the most influential figure within Trump’s inner circle, receiving 19% support compared with Rubio’s 12%. Stephen Miller and Trump Jr. tied for third place.
The same survey indicated Rubio’s approval rating declined from 40% in February to 36%, while 34% of respondents expressed an unfavorable view. Seventeen percent said they were neutral, and 14% remained undecided.
Both Vance and Rubio have dismissed speculation that they are political rivals. During a February interview with Fox News, Vance described Rubio as “my closest friend in the administration” and criticized media efforts to portray tension between them. Rubio has likewise downplayed 2028 speculation, previously telling Vanity Fair that he would support Vance if the vice president sought the Republican presidential nomination.
