CPAC 2026 straw poll: JD Vance is the 2028 GOP frontrunner for second year in a row

Published March 28, 2026 4:52pm ET



GRAPEVINE, Texas — Vice President JD Vance is the leading contender for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination, according to attendees of the 2026 Conservative Political Action Conference. 

CPAC’s annual straw poll showed that 53% of the more than 1,600 people who were surveyed selected Vance as their preferred choice for president, marking the second straight year the vice president has dominated the survey.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.