# Frontrunners for Republican presidential nomination in 2028 **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [December 17, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771 "2025-12-17T01:25:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/21 "2025-12-18T02:19:12Z")
I am talking sedition. Secession. That fat fucker is going to (tomorrow night before Congress) declare all the wars he’s stopped, all the wars he wants to start and proclaim himself King. He must go by whatever constitutional means the Wraiths of SCOTUS will agree to, yet fuck them all. Do they have an army? He does. If the Northeast, hopefully with Pennsylvania and Ohio can make one sector, California can be counted on in the west. Who the fuck cares what Texas does. Probably secedes and becomes the nation they always wanted to be. I want to see every Democrat that can be kicked out (depending on if Congress considered in session and quorum rules) and standing on the Capitol steps. No paddles. Bring your pimp stick if you have one. The Nation is nowhere near United. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/22 "2025-12-18T02:33:19Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > That fat fucker is going to (tomorrow night before Congress) declare all the wars he’s stopped, all the wars he wants to start and proclaim himself King. …cite? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/23 "2025-12-18T02:34:17Z")
Getting back to the thread, Vance is also far ahead in betting markets, although they remind me there’s still much uncertainty: > **[Republican Presidential Nominee 2028 Predictions & Odds | Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/republican-presidential-nominee-2028)** > > Real-time odds on "Republican Presidential Nominee 2028" as of December 18, 2025. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/24 "2025-12-18T02:38:23Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …cite? Fair enough. Let it happen. And sorry if there was a derail of the thread, yet thought I read SCOTUS (preeminently?) told the States what they must not do. A little unusual. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/25 "2025-12-18T02:46:07Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Getting back to the thread, Again, sorry for derailing. I don’t see Vance having much of a chance, Trump’s approval will matter, yet there was none for Pence. If we’re just talking Vance, Rubio and Hegseth (and definitely not Trump), Rubio will demolish them in debates. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/26 "2025-12-18T03:24:56Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Rubio will demolish them in debates. Rubio says he won’t run against Vance. I know, I know, these guys lie, and even a Democrat might break a promise like that. But MAGAville dislikes Rubio and would push hard if Marco broke his promise. As for old-time Republicans, they are famous for voting for the next guy in line, and this time that’s JD. What if we get a real economic crash, or our troops are losing their feet to frostbite on the Greenland front, and Trumpism finally collapses to Macron levels in the polls? Rubio can’t pick up the pieces because he’s part of Trump World. I think DeSantis then would have a way better chance than Rubio. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/27 "2025-12-18T03:40:37Z")
If the current administration has not raised all the good things by 200% and lowered Turkey prices by 33%, Veeps (sanctioned) and other cabinet members will have a hard time since they’ve no traction. Then DeSantis. Against most of the things Trump, who is a great man, did wrong; and will keep lowering Turkey prices till they’re practically free. No worse than W, though does he know how to choose a cabinet? If Rubio has backed down from Vance, then he’s not running. If DeSantis has to debate Vance, he’s debating Trump by proxy and that may not go over well. Two years plus a few monrhs to see how it goes. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/28 "2025-12-18T14:41:07Z")
I find from watching Vance deliver speeches that he is lacking charisma. I don’t see people getting excited about his candidacy. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/29 "2025-12-18T14:49:27Z")
I think it will be Vance. And he will probably lose (due to the charisma issue). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/30 "2025-12-18T16:12:00Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I think it will be Vance. And he will probably lose (due to the charisma issue). What are the odds of him running against someone who likewise has a charisma issue? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/31 "2025-12-18T16:18:32Z")
Too good, unfortunately. Probably better covered in the Democratic candidates thread, but there is always the chance Democrats find a worse candidate. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/32 "2026-04-20T20:18:59Z")
While I have argued that Vance is an unusually strong early nomination front-runner, [this from the Bulwark gives me pause](https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-second-coming): > [@](#): > > There have been a bunch of Republican primary polls over the past three months. Vance has been first in every one of them. > > Want to guess who’s been second or third in every single one of them? Donald Trump Jr. . . . > > DJTJ’s biggest advantage is that _if_ he decides to run, Vance and Rubio will have their knees cut out from under them. Neither would be able to oppose him. . . . > > If you were part of the Trump family and your concern was preserving revenue streams which depended on the credible possibility that you might become president of the United States, DJTJ is actually the hedged choice. I have a reason why I still predict Vance, but it’s a crazy one. Assume Donald the Elder controls who gets nominated. Certainly true, no, but probable. And suppose our [Commander in Cheat](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rick-reilly/commander-in-cheat/9780316528030/) thinks the GOP needs to cheat to win. Pretty likely! And that 2028 cheating requires the enthusiastic cooperation of VP Vance. Surely Trump knows that much! This argues for Vance as the nominee, because JD is motivated to cheat for himself, but not so much to cheat for junior. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/33 "2026-09-22T19:38:16Z")
Vance continues to lead the field but this is worth dropping here: > **[Republicans start making moves to challenge JD Vance for 2028 nomination —...](https://apple.news/AHRUNtXieRYqtt5nvBD1iXw)** > > A fractious GOP presidential contest could force the vice president to reckon with President Donald Trump’s unpopular policies. Not that any of them are attractive candidates. But dang even Cruz is less bad than Vance! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/34 "2026-09-22T19:44:34Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Vance continues to lead the field but this is worth dropping here: Paywalled for me, but here - > **[Latest Polls 2028 | RealClearPolling](https://www.realclearpolling.com/latest-polls/2028)** > > Stay up to date on all the latest 2028 election and state of the union polls. Gain valuable insights into the evolving political landscape and stay ahead of the latest trends. > **[Vance 38,](https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/republican-primary/2028/national)** [Rubio 16, Trump Jr. , DeSantis 8, Kennedy Jr. 6, Haley 6, Cruz 4, Ramaswamy , Carlson 2, Youngkin 1](https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/republican-primary/2028/national) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/35 "2026-09-22T19:53:53Z")
Sorry. From there: > … Sen. Rick Scott (Florida) insisted to reporters before headlining a GOP dinner in New Hampshire — the second state on the Republican nominating calendar — that he is not running for president. But he allowed in his remarks that he views the White House as a much more enticing job than the Senate. > > “The best job is to be the president,” Scott told the crowd in a hotel ballroom blocks from the state capitol on Friday. … > > … Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and John Kennedy (Louisiana) have gone to Iowa, the first GOP nominating state, in recent weeks. Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky) said he is considering running. And another Kentucky libertarian — Rep. Thomas Massie — has not ruled out running as a Trump administration critic after losing his House primary in May to a challenger backed by President Donald Trump. > > A fractious contest for the nomination could force Vance to reckon with Trump’s less popular policies while laying out his own vision for the party’s future. … ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/36 "2026-09-22T23:34:45Z")
> [@](#): > > A fractious contest for the nomination could force Vance to reckon with Trump’s less popular policies while laying out his own vision for the party’s future. … Trump will allow Vance to differ on policy. The problem for Vance may be, in the general election campaign, when he keeps on being asked variants on the question of whether he will cheat if he loses. Anything much short of a yes will get Vance daggers from Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/37 "2026-09-23T00:01:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > **[Vance 38,](https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/republican-primary/2028/national)** [Rubio 16, Trump Jr. , DeSantis 8, Kennedy Jr. 6, Haley 6, Cruz 4, Ramaswamy , Carlson 2, Youngkin 1](https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/president/republican-primary/2028/national) As Bart Simpson once said, there’s a lot of low cards there. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/38 "2026-09-23T00:06:42Z")
My impression is that JD Vance has zero charisma. He’s just so bland when delivering a speech. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/39 "2026-09-23T00:22:39Z")
Re last post, that will help him convince swing voters that he’s more reasonable than DJT. He just has to get people to vote for him. Love is optional. ---
**Author:** ![JDYanYan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jdyanyan/32/21663_2.png) [@JDYanYan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDYanYan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771/40 "2026-09-23T02:02:19Z")
A lot of winning the election is being the most interesting person. JD Vance barely won a red state in a Republican friendly year. He’s got loser energy. Also the fact that he’s pals with a lot of Nazis on Twitter might come become a scandal if people ever remember Nazis are bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontrunners-for-republican-presidential-nomination-in-2028/1025771.md?page=3)