Jon Ossoff vs. Pete Buttigieg's Chances of Defeating JD Vance in 2028

Meanwhile, a new Emerson College poll made public which Democrats have the strongest lead over Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a 2028 presidential election matchup.

Key points

• It surveyed 1, 002 probable voters from August 13 to 17, 2026 and had a margin of error of ±3.4 percentage points.
• It polled 1, 110 probable voters from July 19 to 20, 2026, and had a margin of error of ±2.9 percentage points.
• The Echelon poll discovered Vance up with 39 percent, followed by Rubio (22 percent), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (10 percent) and Donald Trump, Jr.
• While he led Rubio by 3 points, 47 percent to 44 percent, ossoff led Vance by 5 points as well, 49 percent to 44 percent.
• Newsom led Vance by 5 points, 49 percent to 44 percent and Rubio by 2 points, 48 percent to 46 percent, according to the poll.

Newsweek is a Trust Project member.

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

In practice, the presidential field could shortly start to take shape. Though it's not unprecedented for candidates to jump in even before those elections, candidates typically commence announcing their runs after the midterms. Prospective candidates are already testing their messages and heading to key primary states to build their name recognition and create inroads with voters.

Although the first votes won't be cast for more than a year, polls can signal which candidates have early momentum among the electorate.

Donors and voters can employ these early signals to gauge a candidate's viability, and the numbers matter to a candidate's ability to fundraise and garner media attention. They generally measure initial name recognition of potential candidates and are subject to change once the primary season kicks off.

For context, the Democratic field is projected to be competitive and crowded, with individuals like former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg being named as potential candidates.

On the Republican side, Vance and Rubio are viewed as leading contenders if they choose to run. Which Democrats Perform Best Against Vance and Rubio?

Notably, the new poll tested potential matchups of the 2028 general election. It surveyed 1, 000 probable voters from August 16-17, 2026, and had a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.

Buttigieg held 5-point leads against both Vance and Rubio, leading each Republican 49 percent to 44 percent, according to the poll.

Harris led Vance by 4 points, 49 percent to 45 percent. Nevertheless, Rubio held a 5-point lead against Harris, 48 percent to 43 percent.

Meanwhile, both Republicans held a lead over Ocasio-Cortez, a favorite among progressives ahead of the primary. While Rubio held a 5-point lead, 48 percent to 43 percent, vance led Ocasio-Cortez by 2 points, 46 percent to 44 percent.

Newsweek reached out to representatives for Buttigieg, Harris, Newsom, Ocasio-Cortez, Ossoff, Rubio and Vance for comment via email. Who Is Leading Democratic Primary in the Polls?

In practice, the latest polls of the Democratic primary suggest the field remains splintered, though Harris. This person is well-known throughout the electorate, has maintained a lead in recent surveys.

For context, an Echelon Insights poll lately identified Harris leading with 18 percent, followed by Buttigieg (13 percent), Newsom (12 percent), Ocasio-Cortez (11 percent), Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (7 percent), Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (6 percent) and Ossoff (5 percent). A number of other candidates received less than 5 percent in the poll.

Notably, a recent Emerson College poll discovered Buttigieg leading with 19 percent, followed by Newsom (17 percent), Ossoff (13 percent), Ocasio-Cortez (13 percent), Harris (8 percent), Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (7 percent), and Shapiro (5 percent), with other candidates polling in the lower single digits.

It polled 1, 110 probable voters from July 19 to 20, 2026, and had a margin of error of ±2.9 percentage points. Who Is Leading the Republican Primary in the Polls?

Though a number of others could additionally end up running, on the Republican side, a handful of potential candidates have been leading recent polling.

For context, the Echelon poll discovered Vance up with 39 percent, followed by Rubio (22 percent), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (10 percent) and Donald Trump, Jr. (8 percent). The Emerson College poll discovered Vance leading with 39 percent, closely followed by Rubio at 38 percent. DeSantis received 5 percent backing in that poll. What Have Potential Candidates Remarked Concerning Running?

In June, Vance informed CBS News he would discuss aims to run in 2028 after the midterms.

"I have no doubt that the president of the United States is going to be very supportive of anything that I ultimately decide to do, " Vance informed the news station. "But we really just haven't talked about what that thing will be."

Harris, who has traveled to states like Michigan and South Carolina in recent months, has suggested she could run again.

"I might. I am thinking regarding it, " she informed the Reverend Al Sharpton in April after he asked during the National Action Network's annual convention if she planned to run for president in 2028. According to Harris, she "served for four years being a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States."

"I spent countless hours in my West Wing office footsteps away from the Oval Office, " she remarked. "I spent countless hours in the Oval Office and the Situation Room. I know what the job is, and I know what it requires."

Newsom discussed the possibility of running in a June 2025 interview with The Wall Street Journal.

"I'm not thinking about running, but it's a path that I could see unfold, " he remarked.

Newsom additionally stated to journalists in July that whether he joins the race would be determined by "fate."

"I really believe it's fate, " he remarked. "You meet the moment, you represent something where you can uniquely and distinctively create the case that your voice matters in a competitive field where there will be stadiums full of Democrats. Every conceivable stripe of Democrat will be on display."

Ocasio-Cortez addressed presidential speculation in May in a conversation with David Axelrod, a former adviser to President Barack Obama.

"My ambition is to change this country, " she remarked. "Presidents come and go. Senate, House seats, elected authorities come and go. But single-payer healthcare is forever. When you haven't been like fantasizing regarding being this or that since the time you were 7 years old, it is tremendously liberating." Ossoff has stated he does not plan to run, a living wage is forever, workers' rights are forever, women's rights, all of that, and so anyways.to a finer point to your question is that when you aren't attached.

"I have zero interest in running for president in 2028, and frankly zero interest in the 2028 fantasy football right now, " he remarked on MS Now.

While there is no immediate deadline for a prospective 2028 presidential candidate to enter the race, political observers are probable to focus first on the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections on November 3. The results are projected to provide an early indication of the matters, voter coalitions and political figures that could shape the next presidential contest.

After the midterms, potential White House hopefuls are anticipated to ramp up fundraising, travel to early-voting states and build campaign organizations ahead of what could become a crowded 2028 field. Primary calendars and candidate filing deadlines are not yet finalized, but the race is projected to accelerate significantly once the 2026 elections conclude.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas.

For now, jon Ossoff vs. Pete Buttigieg& #039; s Chances of Defeating JD Vance in 2028 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.