Marco Rubio overtakes JD Vance by shocking figure in new poll as 2028 momentum builds

By ELINA SHIRAZI, US SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 18:23, 21 August 2026 | Updated: 18:26, 21 August 2026 Secretary of State Marco Rubio has surged past Vice President JD Vance in early 2028 White House testing, outperforming the VP in three early speculative 2028 duels against top Democratic contenders, according to a fresh Emerson College/The Hill survey.  The latest polling shows that Rubio commands a 48 percent to 43 percent advantage over both former Vice President Kamala Harris and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in theoretical presidential match-ups. The survey of 1,000 registered voters was done between August 16 and August 17, carrying a margin of error of three percentage points Vance edges out Ocasio-Cortez by 46 percent to 44 percent.  But he stumbles against defeated 2024 Democratic candidate Harris, falling behind by four percentage points. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff emerge as the most formidable Democrats on the ballot when tested against the two Trump administration heavyweights. Ossoff holds a three-point lead over Rubio at 47 percent to 44 percent, and expands his margin to five points against Vance at 49 percent to 44 percent.  This comes just days after Ossoff made news for hinting at a romantic link between President Trump and White House aide Natalie Harp. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has surged past Vice President JD Vance in early 2028 White House testing, outperforming the VP in three early White House test-runs against top Democratic contenders, according to a fresh survey done by Emerson College polling and the Hill Despite Trump calling them his political 'dream team,' Vance and Rubio are already locked in a 2028 rivalry Your browser does not support iframes. The Washington Post reported earlier this month that Trump, behind closed doors, has informed donors that 'at the end of the day, we need to elect JD' come 2028 Moving over to California, In theoretical clashes against California Governor Gavin Newsom, Rubio pulls in 46 percent to JD Vance's 44 percent - though both Republicans lag behind the Golden State governor, who scores 49 percent against the Vice President and 48 percent against the Secretary of State The latest polling shows that Rubio commands a 48 percent to 43 percent advantage over both former Vice President Kamala Harris and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in theoretical presidential match Meanwhile, Pete Buttigieg, who has been actively hitting the trail for Democrats in key 2026 midterm contests, outpaces both Republicans by an identical 49 percent to 44 percent margin Moving over to California, in theoretical clashes against California Governor Gavin Newsom, Rubio pulls in 46 percent to JD Vance's 44 percent - though both Republicans lag behind the Golden State governor, who scores 49 percent against the Vice President and 48 percent against the Secretary of State. Despite Trump calling them his political 'dream team,' Vance and Rubio are already locked in a 2028 rivalry. The Washington Post reported earlier this month that Trump, behind closed doors, has informed donors that 'at the end of the day, we need to elect JD' come 2028. The president quickly shut down the speculation, insisting to the media that Vance is 'great' but adding it is 'way too early to even be thinking about' an endorsement. While Trump has publicly praised the duo as a potential powerhouse, he has remained tight-lipped on who should actually take the top spot on the ticket. The Daily Mail reached out to the White House for comment on this story.