Vice President JD Vance continues to dominate the early landscape for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, according to a new Daily Mail/JL Partners poll. Vance holds a substantial lead over other potential contenders, solidifying his position as the frontrunner.
The poll indicates Vance garners 48 percent of support among Republican primary voters, a slight decrease of three points. His closest competitor, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has gained three points to reach 18 percent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis follows at 12 percent, up three points, while Senator Ted Cruz is at 5 percent, down one point.
Vance has not officially declared his candidacy for the 2028 presidential race, though speculation about a potential bid persists. He has previously indicated that he is considering a White House run, with political observers anticipating a formal announcement.
In a head-to-head matchup, Vance leads Rubio 60 percent to 29 percent. Rubio has publicly stated that he would not challenge Vance in a primary.
The poll also reflects that a majority of Republicans desire former President Donald Trump's continued influence in shaping the party's future. Seventy-five percent of Republican primary voters believe Trump should be involved in choosing the 2028 nominee, with 44 percent advocating for significant involvement and 31 percent for some involvement.
Trump's approval rating stands at 44 percent. The poll also surveyed opinions on the US military action in Iran, with 36 percent supporting it and 41 percent opposing it. Among Trump voters, support for the action has softened, with 60 percent now calling it right and 21 percent deeming it wrong.
On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris leads the early 2028 field with 31 percent, an increase of two points. Governor Gavin Newsom is second at 14 percent, down one point, followed by Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 9 percent, down two points. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds 7 percent, up one point.
In personal news, Vance and his wife welcomed their fourth child, Alec Neel Vance, on July 19. He was born at Walter Reed National Medical Center, marking the first time in 156 years that a sitting vice president has had a child while in office.