Washington: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently performing slightly better than Vice President JD Vance in hypothetical 2028 presidential matchups against several potential Democratic contenders, according to a new Emerson College national poll.
In a potential Marco Rubio–Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez matchup, Rubio leads with 48% support, compared with 43% for Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).
In another hypothetical contest, JD Vance leads AOC 46% to 44%, giving him a narrower two-point advantage.
The Emerson College poll, conducted among 1,000 likely voters on August 16–17, 2026, has a margin of error of approximately ±3 percentage points. (New York Post)
The survey also tested several other possible 2028 matchups. Democratic contenders Pete Buttigieg and Jon Ossoff performed strongly, while California Governor Gavin Newsom also led both Republican contenders.
Buttigieg leads both Rubio and Vance by 49% to 44%. Ossoff leads Vance 49% to 44% and Rubio 47% to 44%. Newsom leads Vance 49% to 44% and Rubio 48% to 46%.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris leads Vance 49% to 45%, while Rubio holds a 48%–43% advantage over Harris. (TwStalker)
The results offer an early snapshot of the potential 2028 presidential race, although the election is still more than two years away and neither Rubio nor Vance has formally announced a presidential campaign.
The poll also highlights a potentially competitive Republican field, with Vance and Rubio emerging as two of the most prominent names being discussed for the 2028 Republican nomination.
Note: These are hypothetical matchups and should not be interpreted as predictions of the 2028 election outcome.