Here are the names you should know about heading into 2028.
A newly released Harvard–Harris poll is already fueling debate over who could eventually carry the torch after President Donald Trump, offering an early snapshot of how voters currently view the 2028 presidential field.
While the next election remains several years away, early polling is drawing attention because it highlights which political figures already have national recognition, party loyalty, and momentum following the high-stakes 2024 election cycle.
Among Democrats, former Vice President Kamala Harris leads the field with 39 percent support. She is followed by California Governor Gavin Newsom at 30 percent. Progressive New York lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez trails with 12 percent, while Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker follow at single-digit levels. A small portion of voters indicated they preferred another option entirely.
On the Republican side, the poll shows a much clearer frontrunner. Vice President JD Vance commands a decisive 53 percent of support, far ahead of the rest of the field. Donald Trump Jr. registers 21 percent, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 17 percent. Media figure Tucker Carlson trails with 5 percent, while only a small fraction of voters selected another candidate.
The survey was conducted among 2,000 registered voters on January 28 and 29 and carries a margin of error just under two percentage points, lending added credibility to the results.
Favorability numbers further reinforce Vance’s strong position within the Republican Party. He recorded a 38 percent favorable rating, outperforming Rubio at 34 percent. Newsom and Ocasio-Cortez each posted 32 percent favorability, while Carlson came in at 27 percent.
President Donald Trump has previously addressed speculation surrounding a future successor, noting that the sitting vice president naturally receives heightened attention. Trump also mentioned Rubio as a respected figure within the party, while emphasizing that Republicans have a deep and experienced bench.
Political analysts say the findings align with historical trends. Columbia University professor Robert Y. Shapiro observed that vice presidents often emerge as early favorites due to name recognition and close alignment with the president’s agenda. Meanwhile, University of Kentucky professor D. Stephen Voss noted that Vance’s biggest challenge may be energizing occasional voters who turn out primarily for Trump himself.
As polling on the 2028 race continues, new data is expected to shape the conversation. For now, early indicators suggest Republicans see a clear heir to the MAGA movement, while Democrats remain divided over who should lead their party into the next presidential era.
