Secretary of State Marco Rubio has surpassed Vice President JD Vance in early polling for potential 2028 presidential matchups, according to a new survey released by Emerson College and The Hill. Rubio outperformed Vance in three of the four tested hypothetical contests against prominent Democratic figures.
The Emerson College/The Hill poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters between August 16 and August 17 with a margin of error of three percentage points, shows Rubio leading former Vice President Kamala Harris and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with 48 percent to their respective 43 percent.
In contrast, Vance trails Harris by four percentage points in their hypothetical matchup, while holding a slim 46 percent to 44 percent advantage over Ocasio-Cortez.
Democratic Contenders Pose Challenges
When pitted against former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, both Republicans face stronger competition. Ossoff holds a three-point lead over Rubio (47 percent to 44 percent) and a five-point lead over Vance (49 percent to 44 percent). Buttigieg leads both Rubio and Vance by an identical 49 percent to 44 percent margin.
In theoretical clashes against California Governor Gavin Newsom, Rubio secured 46 percent to Vance's 44 percent. However, both Republicans lagged behind Newsom, who garnered 49 percent against Vance and 48 percent against Rubio.
Despite President Trump referring to Vance and Rubio as his political "dream team," the polling suggests an emerging rivalry between the two for potential 2028 aspirations. The Washington Post previously reported that Trump, in private conversations, has indicated a preference for Vance in 2028. However, the President has also publicly stated that it is "way too early to even be thinking about" an endorsement, while praising Vance as "great."