JD Vance and Marco Rubio: Early Frontrunners for 2028?

The 2028 U.S. presidential election is still three years away, but in the high-stakes world of Republican politics, especially under a second Trump administration, the whispers about successors have already turned into a roar. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, two of Trump's closest allies, are dominating early speculation as potential candidates.

While neither has officially declared a run (and it's way too early for that), recent polls, statements from Trump himself, and fresh media buzz suggest they're positioning themselves—or being positioned, as the GOP's dynamic duo. Could they even team up on a ticket? Trump thinks so.

Here's the breakdown, drawing from the latest polling, interviews, and chatter.

JD Vance: The Heir Apparent with a Lead He Can't Ignore

At 40, Ohio native JD Vance is the presumptive favorite to carry the MAGA torch. As Trump's VP since January 2025, he's leveraged the role into sky-high name recognition and party loyalty. A June 2025 Emerson College Polling survey of 416 Republican primary voters showed Vance crushing the field with 42% support, more than double his nearest rival.

He polled especially strong among men (52%) and voters over 60, key demographics for the GOP base. A Rasmussen poll from August echoed this, giving him 35% in a hypothetical primary, far ahead of others.

Vance has flirted with the idea without committing. In a February 2025 USA Today interview, he said, "We'll see what happens come 2028," emphasizing that success in the current administration is his priority.

By August, on a UK trip, he called it "way too early," but added, "If we do a good job for the American people, the politics will take care of itself."

Trump has repeatedly anointed him as the "most likely" heir, telling reporters in August, "I think most likely, in all fairness, he’s the vice president."

In a May 2025 NBC interview, Vance demurred, saying he's not "entitled" to the nomination but praised potential rivals like Rubio.

On October 29, Vance appeared on the Pod Force One podcast, calling Rubio his "best friend in the administration" and revealing that Trump floated a Vance-Rubio ticket six months ago.

Analysts like Mark Shanahan from the University of Surrey note Vance's lead stems from visibility, but warn it's "tied to the success of Trump's second term" - a flop could dim his star.

Marco Rubio: The Seasoned Wingman Eyeing the Top Spot?

Florida's Marco Rubio, 53, brings gravitas as Trump's Secretary of State. A 2016 presidential hopeful who once sparred with Trump (earning the "Little Marco" nickname), he's since become a loyalist, mending fences and earning praise. Early polls show him as Vance's top challenger: 10% in the Emerson survey (tied with Ron DeSantis) and conceptual support in Rasmussen's field.

CNN's August analysis flagged him as a "team player" with Iowa buzz, thanks to his prior White House run and foreign policy chops.

Rubio's played it coy. In a July 2025 Fox News interview with Lara Trump, he downplayed his own ambitions, saying Vance would be a "great nominee" and that he'd support "whoever the party chooses."

But he hasn't ruled it out, The Wall Street Journal reported in September that he's "considered running with JD Vance as his VP," flipping the script.

Trump fueled the fire on August 5, suggesting Rubio could "get together with JD in some form," calling a Vance-Rubio ticket "unstoppable."

Rubio's edge? Experience, he's navigated primaries before and appeals to moderates with his Cuban-American roots and hawkish foreign policy.

Drawbacks? Lingering 2016 baggage and competition from governors like Glenn Youngkin or Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

The Bigger Picture: A Vance-Rubio Ticket? And Who Else Is Lurking?

Trump's endorsement of a potential Vance-Rubio pairing—floated as recently as October 28—has GOP insiders salivating.

It combines Vance's populist fire with Rubio's establishment polish, potentially locking down Rust Belt and Sun Belt votes. As The Hill noted in September, this duo could sideline rivals like DeSantis (stuck at 10% in polls) or Tim Scott.

Ballotpedia's October tracker lists both as top contenders, alongside Youngkin, Sanders, and even Donald Trump Jr.

But caveats abound:

Timing: It's speculative, Vance ties his prospects to Trump's term succeeding (e.g., no "Blue Wave" in 2026 midterms).

Democrats: Early NH polling pits Vance against Pete Buttigieg (top Dem at 18%), signaling a Buttigieg-Vance rematch.