The fight for Trump's legacy. Vance leads the MAGA camp, but Rubio makes a spectacular comeback
The race for the future of the Republican Party is beginning to take shape, even if the 2028 presidential election still seems a long way off. A poll by the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) shows that Vice President JD Vance remains the favorite among the hard-line conservative electorate, but the rise of Marco Rubio is changing the dynamics of the race.
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio/PHOTO?EPA/EFE
According to data cited by Reuters, more than 53% of the approximately 1,600 participants in the conference would support Vance as the Republican presidential candidate in 2028. In second place, but with a significant lead over the rest of the pack, is Rubio, with 35%. No other name breaks the 2% mark.
A succession that can no longer be postponed
The political context accelerates this competition: Donald Trump, in his second term, cannot run again according to the US Constitution. Under these conditions, the battle for the political legacy of the leader and his movement, Make America Great Again (MAGA) – has already begun, albeit unofficially.
Although CPAC polls are not considered absolutely predictive, they provide a faithful barometer of the preferences of the conservative core—the most mobilized segment of the Republican electorate.
Rubio, spectacular comeback
If JD Vance maintains his leadership position, Marco Rubio's evolution is, without exaggeration, spectacular. A year ago, he was only getting 3% in the same poll; today, it has risen to 35%, becoming the main contender.
The rise is attributed to increased visibility in the foreign policy of the Donald Trump administration, including on sensitive issues such as Venezuela and Iran.
Moreover, some conference participants even suggested a Vance–Rubio tandem formula for 2028, a classic strategy in American politics aimed at balancing the electoral base with a broader electorate.
The campaign is already starting, behind the scenes
In parallel, JD Vance is consolidating his political position. This month, he toured Texas and Tennessee to raise funds for the Republican Party and boost its profile ahead of November's midterm elections.
In the Republican camp, the calculations are already in full swing. The rise of Marco Rubio, combined with the entrenched position of JD Vance and the lingering influence of Donald Trump, shapes a complex political equation — one that could define the direction of American conservatism for the next decade.
