Vice President JD Vance has emerged as the clear frontrunner in the race for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, capturing a commanding 46% support in a recent national poll of GOP voters.
Vance’s lead places him well ahead of other prominent contenders, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 8%, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy at 7%, Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz at 6% each, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley at 5%.
Vance rose to national prominence through his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” before entering politics and securing a Senate seat in Ohio in 2022. His selection as Donald Trump’s running mate in 2024 and subsequent election as vice president solidified his status within the party.
Once a critic of Trump, Vance has since become one of his most loyal allies, championing policies on immigration, trade, and cultural conservatism. His alignment with Trump’s base appears to be a major factor in his early success among Republican voters.
Though former President Trump has praised Vance and other rising GOP figures, he has not yet endorsed a specific successor for 2028.
As the Republican field begins to take shape, Vance’s decisive early lead signals strong momentum and positions him as the candidate to beat in what could become a historic election cycle.