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With Democrats taking control of Congress in the midterm elections, MAGA voters are already sizing up potential successors to President Donald Trump in 2028 — with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio repeatedly emerging as favorites among those interviewed by Fox News Digital.
“I like [Rubio],” one American told Fox News Digital “I like that he’s no-nonsense, similar to Trump.”
“Well, I like JD Vance obviously,” another said. “I like Marco Rubio. There’s some other ones too that are maybe not so much mainstream that are coming up that I like too.”
TRUMP TOLD DONORS ‘WE NEED TO ELECT JD,’ SOURCE CONFIRMS, AS HE WEIGHS VANCE OR RUBIO IN 2028
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are gaining traction among American voters as potential favorable 2028 presidential candidates for Republicans. (Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images; KYLIE COOPER / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
“JD is great too, but Rubio has a little more experience,” one said. “He’s articulate, he’s well spoken. He’s got good ideas. I just really like him.”
Fox News Digital spoke with Americans attending a Trump rally in Bangor, Maine, as one of Trump’s final stops before Tuesday’s midterms that ended in a stunning blue wave. Fueled by anger over high costs and the war with Iran, Americans voted to oust Trump and his agenda, boosting Democrats to large majorities in the House and Senate.
With Democrats looking to rebuke Trump and his allies, Republicans that Fox News Digital spoke with are looking for a presidential candidate to fill in Trump’s “footsteps.”
“I’m really open to see who can fill Trump’s footsteps, not just the next person in line,” one told Fox News Digital.
FOX NEWS/NORC STUDY: VOTERS LOOK TO 2028 FOCUSED ON THE ECONOMY
Sen. Chuck Schumer said President Donald Trump, seen on Oct. 28, 2026, would be the subject of Senate investigations whenever he violates the law. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“I wish Trump could run again,” another said.
Another brought up the prospect of another presidential run by Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., who has tried to distance himself from the results of Tuesday’s midterms. In a news conference Wednesday, he praised Florida for keeping the state under GOP control — suggesting his governance was a reason Florida Republicans held on.
“I would like to see either JD And Marco, or JD And Governor DeSantis,” one said at the Trump rally. “That’s what I would feel comfortable with. “
Beyond Vance, Rubio and DeSantis, other prominent Republicans whose names have surfaced in early 2028 discussions include Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas and Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
CRUZ-VANCE RIVALRY HEATS UP AS TEXAS SENATOR SUGGESTS VP IS ‘FEELING INSECURE’
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a campaign rally with Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mike Rogers at Grosse Point Victory Center in Grosse Point Woods, Mich. on Oct. 28, 2026. (JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP via Getty Images)
No major Republican contender has formally announced a 2028 presidential campaign, though the conclusion of the midterms has brought the party’s next presidential nomination into sharper focus.
Despite some that Fox News Digital spoke with expressing a preference for Rubio over Vance, other Trump supporters stopped short of choosing between the two, praising both as potential successors to the president.
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“I like JD Vance, and I like Marco Rubio,” one said. “I think those are two very outstanding candidates that will continue to make America great again.”
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