Trump Supporters Reveal Their 2028 Favorite

MAGA voters interviewed at a Trump rally in Bangor, Maine, identified Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as leading preferences for the 2028 Republican nomination. The conversations occurred before the midterm elections that returned Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress.

One attendee said of Rubio, “I like that he’s no-nonsense, similar to Trump.” Another stated, “Well, I like JD Vance obviously. I like Marco Rubio. There’s some other ones, too, that are maybe not so much mainstream that are coming up that I like too.”

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POLL: Who would you vote for in 2028?

Vance Rubio

A third voter preferred Rubio on experience grounds: “JD is great too, but Rubio has a little more experience. He’s articulate, he’s well-spoken. He’s got good ideas. I just really like him.” Others declined to choose between the two and praised both.

Several attendees expressed a desire for a candidate who could “fill Trump’s footsteps” rather than simply being next in line. One said, “I wish Trump could run again.” Another suggested a ticket pairing Vance with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Names beyond Vance and Rubio that surfaced included Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. No major Republican has formally announced a 2028 campaign. The midterm results have accelerated discussion of the next nominee.

Voters at the rally were focused on continuity with Trump’s approach. Several described the ideal successor as someone who would maintain the same priorities on the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. The interviews took place as one of Trump’s final campaign stops before Election Day.

DeSantis has sought to separate his record in Florida from the national midterm outcome. He noted that Republicans held the state. Some rally-goers still included him in their preferred combinations alongside Vance or Rubio.

The preference for Vance reflects his position as the sitting vice president and his alignment with the current administration. Rubio’s support appears tied to his longer tenure in the Senate and his role as secretary of state. Both have remained publicly loyal to Trump.

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Cruz and Hawley have been mentioned in early speculation because of their conservative voting records and national profiles. Neither has taken visible steps toward a presidential bid. Their inclusion in voter comments remained secondary to Vance and Rubio.

The Bangor interviews were not a scientific poll. They captured sentiment among attendees at a single rally in a state that is not typically decisive in Republican primaries. Similar conversations at other events have produced comparable names.

Trump has not endorsed a successor. He has previously indicated that he wants the party to choose someone who will continue his policies. The voters’ comments align with that stated preference for continuity.

Economic concerns and the costs of living were cited by multiple attendees as reasons they supported the current direction. Those issues also featured prominently in Democratic messaging during the midterms. Republican voters looking ahead appear to want a nominee who addresses the same topics.

Foreign policy experience was mentioned as an advantage for Rubio. His time as secretary of state gives him a record on international matters that Vance, as vice president, is still building. Voters who favored Rubio often cited that distinction.

The absence of formal announcements means the field remains open. Early preferences expressed at rallies can shift once candidates begin raising money and campaigning in earnest. The 2028 primaries are still more than a year away.

Some attendees explicitly rejected the idea of an automatic succession. They said they wanted to evaluate who could best extend the agenda rather than default to the vice president. That view coexisted with strong support for Vance among others.

The midterm losses have not diminished the visibility of Vance or Rubio among the voters interviewed. Both continue to hold senior roles and appear regularly with the president. Their standing inside the party remains high.

Additional names may emerge as the cycle develops. For now, the rally conversations point to Vance and Rubio as the two figures most frequently mentioned by Trump supporters looking toward 2028. The ultimate nominee will be decided by primary voters over the next two years.