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.
But 35% said they wanted Secretary of State Marco Rubio to be their 2028 candidate. No other candidate received a double-digit response in the survey.
This marks a significant increase for Rubio from last year’s straw poll, which showed just 3% preferred him as the 2028 candidate. Then, 61% wanted Vance as their candidate.
The straw poll also showed that Rubio is the favorite member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet at 60%, with War Secretary Pete Hegseth coming in at second place at 35%.
Neither Rubio nor Vance attended this year’s CPAC. But several attendees at the conference told the Washington Examiner they were impressed with the secretary of state’s handling of several issues, including the Iran war.
The Iran war is unpopular with the American public, according to several polls. The issue has also divided MAGA. Some, like Steve Bannon, are against U.S. involvement in Iran, while others claim Trump needed to deprive Iran of nuclear power.
A record turnout for the straw poll showed 88% agreed that leaders and influencers are creating controversy to divide the GOP, with many blaming the media for exaggerating the division.
Nevertheless, Trump, who skipped the gathering, garnered a 96% approval rate at CPAC despite the MAGA infighting. Vance had a 92% approval rate, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had a 84% approval rate and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) had a 57% approval rate.
Texas, where CPAC is being held this year, is also home to the most contentious GOP Senate primary in the nation between state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).
Paxton appeared onstage at CPAC after the straw poll showed him besting Cornyn, who skipped the conference, 67% to 21%.
MARCO RUBIO’S STAR POWER RISES AT CPAC 2026
“Look we can win this race. I need your help,” Paxton implored the crowd ahead of the primary runoff on May 26. “Get your friends out. I believe this audience can make the difference. So I’m asking for your support. Let’s get rid of the guy that represents Washington.”
CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp said it was his “honor” to endorse Paxton in the primary runoff.
