Vice President Vance Wins CPAC's 2028 Presidential Straw Poll

Vance beats out Secretary of State Rubio as conservatives' top pick for next GOP nominee

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:14pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring a fractured, repeating image of a political symbol like a podium or gavel, rendered in bold, overlapping strokes of red, blue, and gold, conveying a sense of energy and motion around the 2028 GOP primary.The CPAC straw poll results reflect the ongoing tug-of-war between the Republican Party's populist and establishment factions as they jockey for position in the 2028 presidential race.Grapevine Today

Vice President JD Vance was the top choice at the Conservative Political Action Conference's (CPAC) annual straw poll for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, receiving 53% of the vote from over 1,600 attendees. Secretary of State Marco Rubio came in second with 35% of the vote at the conservative gathering held in Grapevine, Texas.

Why it matters

The CPAC straw poll offers a snapshot of the current energy and preferences among the Republican Party's conservative base, which will be a crucial voting bloc in the 2028 presidential primary. As President Trump nears the end of his second term, the poll suggests Vance has emerged as an early frontrunner to carry on the MAGA movement's agenda, though Rubio has also gained prominence in recent years.

The details

Vance, who previously led the CPAC straw poll in 2025 with 61% of the vote, was praised by attendees for his alignment with the MAGA movement and his open displays of Christian faith. Rubio, who captured just 3% of the vote last year, has risen in prominence through his work on high-stakes foreign policy issues for the administration. No other potential 2028 candidate received more than 2% in the poll.

  • The 2026 CPAC event was held from March 26-28 in Grapevine, Texas.
  • The straw poll results were released on Saturday, March 28.

The players

JD Vance

The current Vice President of the United States and the top choice in CPAC's 2028 presidential straw poll, having positioned himself as an ally of the MAGA movement and a vocal proponent of his Christian faith.

Marco Rubio

The current U.S. Secretary of State, who placed second in the CPAC straw poll and has gained prominence through his work on high-profile foreign policy issues for the administration.

Donald Trump

The current President of the United States, who is serving his second term and is not eligible to run again in 2028.

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What they’re saying

“I wasn't real sure about him at first, you know, like he's inexperienced, but I've seen everything he's done. He's a real, genuine person, and he's also willing to proclaim his faith in Jesus Christ in public.”

— Paul Empson, 58-year-old accountant and evangelical Christian from Fort Worth, Texas

“Over the last couple of years, everything he says and does is 100% conservative. And at the Charlie Kirk memorial, he sounded like a pastor preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

— James Schaare, 61-year-old political activist from Euless, Texas

“He's strong. He's to the point. He works like Trump: go, go, go, go. I like the strength I see in him. I like the way he presents himself when he speaks to the people.”

— Carol Kurpiel, 79-year-old CPAC attendee from the Atlanta area

What’s next

The 2028 Republican presidential primary race is still in its early stages, but the CPAC straw poll results suggest Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio have emerged as early frontrunners to succeed President Trump. The two could potentially team up as running mates, according to some CPAC attendees.

The takeaway

The CPAC straw poll highlights the continued influence of the MAGA movement within the Republican Party, with Vance's victory suggesting conservatives are seeking a candidate who can carry on Trump's populist, America First agenda. However, Rubio's strong second-place finish shows the party's establishment wing also remains a powerful force that could challenge Vance for the nomination.