Although no one is officially running for the 2028 presidential election just yet, some names in both the Democratic and Republican Party are starting to rise to the top of their respective primaries.
A new poll released by Harvard CAPS/HarrisX on Sept. 2, shows a potential showoff of vice presidents in 2028, with former Vice President Kamala Harris and current Vice President JD Vance
leading their respective primaries.Among Democrats, Harris has a comfortable lead with 42% support, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 18%, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tied with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both at 9%.
Among Republicans, Vance holds a similarly comfortable advantage with 44% support; Secretary of State Marco Rubio
follows with 21%, while President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., gathers 18% support.
The poll surveyed 2,100 registered voters from Aug. 28-30, with a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points, according to Harvard CAPS/HarrisX.
Buzz around potential candidates grows
Wednesday’s poll came only a day before Vance was asked during a White House media briefing whether he could see himself supporting Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, or Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth for president in 2028.
“Clearly Ted is a very authentic and likable guy, and I’m sure he’ll do great,” Vance said.
Cruz, who finished second to Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, has recently fueled speculation that he could make another bid for the White House.
“It’s no secret that I want to be president,” Cruz said during an appearance on Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s podcast.
In the Vance camp, his wife, Usha Vance, said in a recent interview on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” that she was keeping an “open mind and open heart” to whatever her husband chose to do ahead of the 2028 primaries.
On the Democratic side, Buttigieg, who has topped other early 2028 polls, hinted at potential plans.
On Steven Bartlett's "The Diary of a CEO" podcast in August, Buttigieg said he is "more inclined than not" to make another White House bid. He emphasized that his decision will depend on factors that won't become clear for some time.
A Trump successor?
Trump has so far declined to endorse a specific successor for 2028. Still, the president has praised both Vance and Rubio, calling the pair a potential "perfect ticket" during a White House event in May.
"I do believe that's a dream team, but these are minor details. That does not mean you have my endorsement under any circumstances," Trump said. "I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate."
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Potential 2028 candidates rise to the top of new poll
