Vice President JD Vance secured about 85% of the vote in a straw poll for the 2028 Republican nomination at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Arizona. Attendees showed strong support, with college students unanimously backing him and the crowd erupting in cheers during his appearance. The results outpaced even former President Donald Trump's margin in a similar 2023 poll.
At Turning Point USA's annual AmericaFest convention in Arizona over the December 21-22, 2025 weekend, Vice President JD Vance emerged as the clear favorite among attendees for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. In the group's straw poll, Vance captured approximately 85% of the votes, far ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who received 5%. This margin exceeded by three percentage points the support Donald Trump garnered in the 2023 AmericaFest poll for the 2024 nomination.
The enthusiasm was evident throughout the event. As Vance took the stage, the crowd interrupted him with chants of "JD, JD, JD" and "U.S.A.," reflecting widespread backing. Interviews with attendees, including college students, revealed unanimous support for Vance as the nominee. One student, Nickolas Peter, remarked, "Is the grass green?" when asked about his excitement, adding, "JD Vance represents the greatest conservative movement in over 40 years. One that prioritizes Main Street over Wall Street, one that prioritizes the exceptional American culture."
Vance addressed his future ambitions cautiously, stating he would focus on the 2026 midterm elections before discussing a presidential run with President Trump. "I’m very focused on the midterm elections. Then after that, I’m going to sit down with the president of the United States and talk to him about it," he said. He emphasized commitment to his current role, noting Americans are "fed up with folks who are already running for the next job, seven months into the current one." Vance dismissed notions of rivalry with figures like Rubio, calling him a "colleague" and saying, "If Marco eventually runs for president, then we can cross that bridge when we come to it…it’s a long ways in the future." He concluded, "I’m going to try to do my best job, and I think if I do that, the politics will figure itself out."
The poll also highlighted broader sentiments: nearly nine in ten attendees viewed Israel as an ally, identified radical Islam as the top U.S. threat, and approved of President Trump's cabinet. Top-rated members included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, and Kristi Noem, each with over 90% approval.
