U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed strong confidence that Vice President JD Vance is the leading contender for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, should Vance decide to run. Rubio reportedly indicated he would fully back Vance in this pursuit.
According to sources close to Rubio, the Secretary has been clear about his belief that Vance will become the Republican nominee if he wishes. These insiders state that Rubio won’t leave his current post to criticize Vance, as they have maintained a supportive friendship throughout their political careers.
Speculation about who will take over the MAGA legacy has surged, with former President Trump often naming Vance and Rubio as his top picks for 2028. Trump even suggested the idea of them running together during a recent flight on Air Force One, describing a potential Vance-Rubio ticket as “unstoppable.”
In the midst of these conversations, Trump pointed out the strengths of both politicians, while also critiquing the Democratic Party, referring to certain members by saying they lack intelligence.
Recent polling indicates a strong preference for Vance among Trump voters, with 35% of those polled indicating they’d like to see him run for president next. Meanwhile, only 2% supported Rubio as a candidate, and a number of respondents were still uncertain about other choices.
James Blair, currently serving as deputy chief of staff, emphasized that Republicans looking to run in 2028 should be focused on maintaining Republican power leading up to the 2026 elections, rather than on their individual aspirations.
As speculation continues, Rubio is expected to be 57 by the time the 2028 elections take place, allowing him future opportunities for a presidential run. Vance, on the other hand, would be just 44 years old if he runs in 2024, giving both politicians ample time to shape the future of their party.
