Potential 2028 candidates rise to the top of new poll

Potential 2028 candidates rise to the top of new poll.

Key points

• Cruz, who finished second to Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, has lately fueled speculation that he could produce another bid for the White House.
• SC Democratic Chair Christale Spain notes Gavin Newsom and Cory Booker are creating early buzz by showing up and connecting with voters.
• On Steven Bartlett's "The Diary of a CEO" podcast in August, Buttigieg remarked he is "more inclined than not" to produce another White House bid.
• Among Democrats, Harris has a comfortable lead with 42% backing, followed by California Gov.
• Wednesday's poll came only a day before Vance was asked during a White House media briefing whether he could see himself supporting Sen.

Potential 2028 candidates rise to the top of new poll. Fernando Cervantes Jr. USA TODAY. How progressives can actually win South Carolina.

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.

In practice, a new poll published by Harvard CAPS/HarrisX on Sept. 2, demonstrates 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% backing, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 18%, with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tied with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both at 9%.

While President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., gathers 18% backing, among Republicans, Vance holds a similarly comfortable advantage with 44% backing; Secretary of State Marco Rubio follows with 21%.

Notably, 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 remarked.

"It's no secret that I want to be president, " Cruz remarked during an appearance on Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's podcast.

In the Vance camp, his wife, Usha Vance, remarked 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. This person has topped other early 2028 polls, hinted at potential intends.

On Steven Bartlett's "The Diary of a CEO" podcast in August, Buttigieg remarked he is "more inclined than not" to produce another White House bid. He emphasized that his decision will depend on factors that won't become clear for some time.

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 remarked. "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 [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, potential 2028 candidates rise to the top of new poll is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.