Secretary of State Marco Rubio is gaining ground in the early jockeying for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, according to a new poll and interviews with GOP insiders. The AtlasIntel survey, released this week, shows Rubio leading Vice President JD Vance 45.4% to 29.6% among 2,000 Americans polled, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trailing at 11.2%.
The poll reflects a broader shift in Republican circles, where Rubio's recent high-profile moments—including a well-received White House briefing where he fielded tough questions on the Iran war—have boosted his standing. President Trump has taken notice, asking attendees at Mar-a-Lago events who they prefer and hearing a clear preference for Rubio over Vance, according to a source who attended a recent dinner with major donors. “It wasn’t even close,” the attendee said.
Rubio has also leaned into the performative aspects of Trump-era politics. On Tuesday, White House officials circulated photos of him aboard Air Force One en route to China, wearing the same gray Nike tracksuit that became associated with the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted on X: “Secretary Rubio rocking the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ on Air Force One!”
Trump himself has not offered a full endorsement of Vance. At a White House event Monday, he called a Rubio-Vance ticket a “dream team” but added, “That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstance.” The president’s equivocation stands in contrast to previous administrations, where presidents typically backed their vice presidents for the next cycle.
Republican strategist Susan Del Percio, a Trump critic, said Rubio is threading a needle by championing Trump’s policies while maintaining his own identity. “What people want is confidence, and Vance is in short supply because he is seen as a cheerleader,” she said. “Rubio is seen as working at the pleasure of the president, but he also has a resume that shows his experience.” Rubio has publicly stated he won’t run against Vance, telling Vanity Fair last year, “If JD Vance runs for president, he’s going to be our nominee, and I’ll be one of the first people to support him.”
Meanwhile, Vance is expected to detail the administration’s anti-fraud efforts targeting Democratic states, a move that could shore up his base. But some Republicans say Rubio’s exposure has given him an edge. “Many in Washington have their time in the spotlight, but not all have been able to take advantage of it the way Rubio has,” said Brian Seitchik, a Republican strategist who worked on Trump’s 2016 campaign. He called Rubio a “world-class communicator” whose simple exposure “could pay dividends down the line.”
Del Percio cautioned that Rubio must avoid overshadowing Trump. “He needs to keep his head down and keep doing the work because he doesn’t want to be too high-profile,” she said. “It’s a fine line. You’re allowed to get really close to it, but you’re not allowed to go over.” The early 2028 race remains fluid, but Rubio’s recent moves have clearly captured the party’s attention.
