Vice President JD Vance tops CPAC’s straw poll to be US president in 2028

Key Points:

• United States Vice President JD Vance has topped the 2026 CPAC straw poll for the second consecutive year, securing 53% of nearly 1,600 votes, indicating strong support among conservative activists for his potential 2028 Republican presidential nomination.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a senior official under President Donald Trump, improved significantly from last year’s poll, earning 35% of the vote and positioning himself as a key contender within the party.
• The CPAC conference, known for its right-wing attendance, featured prominent speakers including Senator Ted Cruz and Iranian opposition leader Reza Pahlavi, highlighting the event's influence on conservative political discourse amid critical upcoming midterm elections.
• Trump’s approval ratings have declined to historic lows amid ongoing economic and foreign policy challenges, raising questions about the future Republican leadership as he nears the end of his second term in 2028.
• The CPAC straw poll reflects shifting dynamics within the Republican Party, moving away from moderates toward Trump-aligned candidates, though its predictive accuracy remains uncertain, as seen in past discrepancies like the 2016 poll results.