New 2028 Poll Spells Disaster for Newsom and Harris
Marco Rubio has surged to 35 percent support among Republican voters, nearly tying Vice President JD Vance at 36 percent, while no Democratic candidate exceeds 20 percent in early 2028 polling.
According to New York Post, a new Emerson College poll shows Rubio has climbed to 35 percent support among likely voters, virtually tied with Vance, who leads by just one point at 36 percent as the presumptive GOP nominee.
The numbers represent a striking shift from February polling, when Vance commanded 52 percent support. The vice president has shed more than 15 points in just three months, signaling potential vulnerability within Republican primary voters despite his prominent position in the Trump administration.
Rubio’s ascent appears linked to his high-profile role as the face of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. The Secretary of State has jumped 15 points from his February showing of just 20 percent, capitalizing on increased visibility and the diplomatic portfolio he oversees.
Democratic Field Remains Fractured and Weak
The Democratic side presents a far less competitive picture, with no single candidate breaking through to capture more than 20 percent support in a crowded and lackluster field.
California Governor Gavin Newsom leads Democrats but has dropped four points to 16 percent since February. Former Vice President Kamala Harris fell three points to 10 percent, as New York Post reports, suggesting that even the most nationally recognized Democratic figures are losing ground with voters.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also remain in the mix but failed to reach 20 percent support.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear posted modest gains, rising to 10 percent and 9 percent respectively from 7 percent and 5 percent in February. Both governors have positioned themselves as moderate voices in an increasingly progressive party.
GOP Bench Remains Deep Despite Vance-Rubio Lead
Other Republican contenders trail significantly behind the two frontrunners but represent substantial political experience and name recognition.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. all polled below 5 percent. Their low numbers suggest Republican voters have already begun consolidating around the Vance-Rubio contest.
On the Democratic side, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and California Representative Ro Khanna similarly registered at or below 5 percent, reflecting the fragmented state of the party’s 2028 prospects.
The Emerson College poll was conducted May 24-25 and surveyed 1,000 likely voters across the country.
With information from New York Post
