With the November midterms approaching, political focus is beginning to shift toward the 2028 presidential cycle. A new poll released on Thursday, Sept. 24, by McLaughlin & Associates indicates that former Vice President Kamala Harris and current Vice President JD Vance are currently the leading contenders in their respective party primaries.
The survey, which polled 463 likely voters between Sept. 16 and Sept. 22, shows Harris leading the Democratic field with 29% support. California Governor Gavin Newsom follows as her closest challenger with 12%, while former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg holds 9%. According to the data, 15% of Democratic respondents remain undecided.
In the Republican primary, Vice President Vance leads with 35% of the support. The race for second place appears tighter, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 15% and Donald Trump Jr. at 14%. Among Republican voters surveyed, 12% said they were undecided.
While no official candidates have entered the race as of Sept. 25, several prominent political figures have addressed their potential future ambitions. During a fishing trip in Montana earlier this month, Governor Newsom told CNN that he would not run in 2028 if Harris decides to pursue a second campaign for the nomination. On the Republican side, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas explicitly fueled speculation about a potential White House bid, stating on a podcast in August hosted by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, "It’s no secret that I want to be president."
Conversely, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has attempted to dampen discussions regarding his own candidacy. During an official trip to Colombia earlier this month, Rubio stated, "I don't know what the future holds, but I have no plans at this time." He added, "I'm not a candidate for anything right now. And I’m 100% focused on my job, and I have to be because I have two jobs.”
