AtlasIntel has released a new poll that is already reshaping discussion about the Republican Party’s 2028 presidential race. The survey suggests that Secretary of State Marco Rubio may now be the leading choice among Republican voters to become the party’s next presidential nominee.
The poll, conducted between May 4 and May 7, surveyed 2,069 American adults nationwide. Among Republican respondents, Rubio received 45.4 percent support, placing him well ahead of Vice President JD Vance, who finished second with 29.6 percent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis followed with 11.2 percent support.
The results marked a major shift from AtlasIntel’s previous national survey in December, when Vance held a commanding lead over Rubio by more than 20 points. The latest numbers have fueled growing speculation that Rubio’s influence inside President Donald Trump’s administration may now be boosting his political standing among Republican voters.
Another notable finding in the survey involved favorability ratings. While Rubio led the field among GOP voters, 51 percent of respondents overall said they viewed him negatively, compared to 46 percent who viewed him positively. Vance faced even steeper numbers, with 58 percent expressing an unfavorable opinion and only 37 percent holding a positive view.
Trump added to the conversation earlier this week during an event at the White House, when he playfully asked the crowd whether they preferred Vance or Rubio. He then joked that the two Republicans together would make a “dream team,” though he stopped short of endorsing anyone for the 2028 race.
Rubio’s growing visibility in foreign policy has also drawn attention. He has reportedly played a key role in discussions involving Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Ukraine, and Russia, becoming one of Trump’s closest advisers on international affairs. Earlier this month, Rubio also marked one year serving simultaneously as secretary of state and national security adviser, becoming the first person since Henry Kissinger during the Nixon administration to hold both positions at the same time.
Although the next presidential election remains years away, the new poll has intensified debate about who may eventually emerge as the future leader of the Republican Party.
