Looking ahead to 2028, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is actively seizing opportunities to position himself for the next election while Vice President JD Vance appears less engaged.
Rubio functions like a baseball team that relentlessly pursues every run and creates scoring chances—unlike Vance, who seems to wait for President Trump to deliver a decisive three-run homer to advance him.
The Atlas Poll shows Rubio leading Vance by nearly 15 points in a trial run (45-30).
Rubio understands that the Latino vote has become the new “black” demographic for Republicans. African American women have remained loyal to the Democrats, while African American men often shift allegiances. Yet GOP gains among Hispanic voters of both genders have been significant, with polls now indicating a near tie in the Latino electorate—Trump’s Democratic lead narrowing to five points or less.
Rubio’s Cuban heritage plays a pivotal role: he has consistently positioned himself as the leading voice advocating for Cuba’s liberation and opposing authoritarian regimes globally.
Meanwhile, Vance has largely focused on advancing President Trump’s agenda in Europe while criticizing NATO allies for insufficient commitment.
Rubio is clearly converting Latino voters to Trump’s cause more effectively than Vance. His strategic presence gives him a distinct edge over Vance, who appears to be a passive follower of the president’s actions.
The contest for the Republican nomination in 2028 remains a chimera—whomever Trump endorses will become the nominee. However, the growing enthusiasm gap between Rubio and Vance is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
