Trending Now - Vance Tops CPAC Straw Poll as Rubio Gains Momentum for 2028

WHO:

CNN - Jessica Luebbers expressed hope that President Trump would pass the torch to Marco Rubio in 2028, stating, “It’s amazing how much he’s had on his plate.”

CNN - Luke Rosati, a student at Xavier University, expressed a desire for new leadership, saying, “I hate seeing the president and vice president run. I want someone new and different.”

CNN - William Augustine noted that JD Vance's backstory as the son of a drug addict raised by his grandmother resonates with many supporters.

CNN - Jessica Luebbers expressed support for Marco Rubio, stating, “I was a little skeptical when Trump picked Rubio (for secretary of state) but, man, he has knocked it out of the park.”

CNN - Luke Rosati, a student at Xavier University, mentioned, “I may disagree with him on something like the Iran war and how he’s spoken about that, but then I can agree with him on some other policies.”

CNN - William Augustine, a Dallas resident, noted, “I think he speaks to a lot of people in the country that maybe other people in the country would pass off.”

CNN - President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Jessica Luebbers, Luke Rosati, William Augustine, Henry Tian, Frank Robles, Ted Cruz, Barbara Lewis, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

NY Post - JD Vance, Marco Rubio

WHAT:

NY Post - Marco Rubio's 35% showing in the CPAC straw poll marked a sharp rise from 3% in 2025.

CNN - The CPAC straw poll included about 1,600 participants, confirming that no other candidate received more than 2% of the votes.

CNN - JD Vance won the CPAC straw poll for the second time with 53%, down from 61% in 2025.

CNN - Ted Cruz received 1% of the votes in the CPAC straw poll.

CNN - Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 0% of the votes in the CPAC straw poll.

CNN - No other candidate in the straw poll received more than 2% of the votes.

CNN - JD Vance won the CPAC straw poll with 53% of the votes.

CNN - Marco Rubio received 35% of the votes in the CPAC straw poll.

CNN - The straw poll included about 1,600 participants.

NY Post - Rubio's 35% showing marked a significant rise from previous years.

WHERE:

CNN - The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) took place in Dallas, Texas.

WHEN:

CNN - The CPAC straw poll results were released on Saturday, March 28th, 2026.

CNN - The CPAC event occurred in March 2026.

WHY:

CNN - The growing comfort with Rubio among conservatives is attributed to his central role in U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic negotiations, particularly amid Trump’s military posture.

CNN - The growing comfort with Rubio among conservatives is attributed to his central role in U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic negotiations.

CNN - The growing comfort with Rubio among conservatives is attributed to his role in the Trump administration and his handling of various diplomatic negotiations.

CNN - Some younger conservatives prefer Rubio over Vance due to differing views on military conflicts.

HOW:

CNN - The CPAC straw poll is an informal survey limited to conference attendees and is not representative of the broader Republican electorate.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 17:06 UTC)

The CPAC straw poll results released on Saturday show Marco Rubio's support has surged to 35%, a significant jump from just 3% in 2025, with no other candidate receiving more than 2% of the votes from the roughly 1,600 participants. Many conservatives are increasingly comfortable with Rubio, thanks in part to his prominent role in U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic efforts, especially during Trump's military stance. Meanwhile, voices like Jessica Luebbers and Luke Rosati are calling for new leadership, with Luebbers hoping Trump will pass the torch to Rubio in 2028, while Rosati expresses a desire for a fresh face in the race.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 09:08 UTC)

JD Vance has won the CPAC straw poll for the second time, securing 53% of the votes, a decrease from 61% in 2025, while Ted Cruz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received just 1% and 0% respectively. Support for Marco Rubio among conservatives appears to be growing, as many appreciate his significant role in U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic negotiations. It's important to note that the CPAC straw poll is an informal survey conducted among conference attendees and does not reflect the views of the wider Republican electorate.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 01:20 UTC)

At the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas, JD Vance emerged as the winner of the straw poll, securing 53% of the votes, while Marco Rubio followed with 35%, marking a notable increase from previous years. The poll, which included about 1,600 participants, reflects a growing comfort among conservatives with Rubio, particularly due to his experience in the Trump administration and his diplomatic efforts. It's important to note that this straw poll is an informal survey limited to attendees and does not represent the broader Republican electorate.