Donald Trump is still in the process of filling out the cabinet for his second term, which begins on January 20th, but it's never too early to look forward to 2028, as a new poll by Echelon Insights has revealed the early contenders to lead each major political party, with Kamala Harris and JD Vance as frontrunners for the Democrats and Republicans respectively.
Vice-president elect Vance, leads the Republican field with 37% of support among GOP and GOP-leaning voters, followed by former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy in second and third positions. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis currently ranks fourth among Republican contenders with 8% of voter intent among party voters.
The poll reflects a shift in Republican preferences since the summer when DeSantis had polled higher at 14%, according to Florida Politics. Notably, DeSantis' standing places him ahead of other potential candidates like Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who each received 5%."Oh, I haven't ruled anything out," DeSantis said in February, addressing the question of his potential 2028 candidacy during a call with people who pledged to be his delegates at the GOP Convention.
In contrast, Vance's popularity has risen, benefitting from his vice-presidential role and strong backing among millennial and Gen Z men, according to Globely News. However, political observers note that no succession within the Trump-dominated GOP is guaranteed, particularly given Trump's unpredictable influence and constitutional limits preventing him from seeking a third term.
The findings also underscore evolving ideological divides within the Republican Party. Candidates like Haley, with interventionist foreign policy stances, face challenges appealing to an electorate increasingly aligned with nationalist and populist ideologies. Similarly, the rise of candidates like Ramaswamy signals a generational shift, with younger voters shaping the party's future.
On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris leads early polling for her party's 2028 nomination, though her support, like Vance's, falls short of an outright majority, with California governor Gavin Newsom in second place and a bevvy of other names on the list which includes Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the progressive New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
