Gavin Newsom and JD Vance emerge as early frontrunners in wide open 2028 race: Poll

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance and California Governor Gavin Newsom are emerging as early leaders in their respective parties' 2028 presidential fields, according to a new CNN poll.

The survey underscores a wide-open contest, with most Americans saying that they do not yet have a preferred candidate for the next presidential election.

Among respondents who did not name a choice, Republicans showed more consolidation than Democrats. Neither Vance nor Newsom has formally announced a 2028 campaign.

Poll shows early party preferences but widespread uncertainty 

The CNN poll, conducted between December 4 and December 7 among 1,032 respondents, found that nearly two-thirds of Americans did not currently have a specific individual in mind for the 2028 presidential race. 

In the poll, 16% named a Republican or conservative figure they would like to see run, while 14% named a Democrat or liberal candidate. 

An additional 2% cited a nonpartisan individual or general candidate attributes, and 1% declined to answer. 

Among respondents who named a Republican candidate, Vice President JD Vance received the highest level of support.

In the poll, 11% of all respondents named Vance, while smaller shares cited Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 2%, President Donald Trump at 1% and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 1%. No other Republican candidate reached at least 1% support. 

On the Democratic side, Newsom led the field but with less unified backing.

The poll revealed that 6% of respondents named the California governor, followed by former Vice President Kamala Harris at 3% and Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at 2%.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former President Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Sen Mark Kelly (D-Ariz) each received 1% support. 

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. 

JD Vance gains GOP momentum as Democrats weigh options 

The survey reflects broader trends seen in other early polling, with Republican enthusiasm increasingly centered on Vance as a potential successor to Trump.

That consolidation was reinforced last week when Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and current CEO of Turning Point USA, publicly endorsed him during remarks at the organization's AmericaFest conference in Phoenix. 

"We are going to get my husband’s friend JD Vance elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible," Kirk told attendees, drawing loud applause. 

Vance, 41, has not declared his intentions but has acknowledged considering a future run.

“I’ve thought about what that moment might look like after the midterm elections, sure, but I also — whenever I think about that, I try to put it out of my head and remind myself the American people elected me to do a job right now and my job is to do it,” Vance said. 

Newsom has similarly stopped short of announcing a bid but has openly acknowledged thinking about 2028. "Yeah, I'd be lying otherwise," he said.