US Vice President JD Vance has emerged as the overwhelming favourite among conservative activists in a straw poll conducted at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest conference this past weekend, signalling early momentum toward a potential bid for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, according to Fox News.
The poll, which gauges the preferences of attendees, largely young, grassroots conservative activists, showed Vance capturing a clear majority of support from those present, far outpacing other GOP figures.
What did the results show?
According to results shared by Turning Point USA and covered by multiple outlets, Vance secured roughly 84 % of the vote in the straw poll. That wide margin underscores his strong appeal within the pro-Trump and broader conservative ‘Make America Great Again (MAGA) base represented at AmericaFest, according to New York Post.
Trailing Vance by a wide margin were several other potential contenders: Secretary of State Marco Rubio finished a distant second with around 4.8 % support, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis lagged with under 3 %, and Donald Trump Jr. garnered only a small share of the vote. Other candidates, including former presidential contenders such as Vivek Ramaswamy, attracted minimal backing in the straw poll.
Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk also endorsed Vance
Turning Point USA’s event also featured the public endorsement of Vance by Erika Kirk, the organisation’s CEO and widow of founder late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who has taken a more active role in shaping the group’s influence since her husband’s death earlier this year.
Vance was a frequent guest on Charlie Kirk’s podcast, and Kirk campaigned for Vance when he ran for US Senate representing Ohio in 2022. Since Kirk was shot to death in September at an event on a Utah university campus, Vance has hosted Kirk’s podcast and made a tour stop for Turning Point at the University of Mississippi, according to CBC News.
Vance has not formally announced his presidential campaign
Despite his strong showing in the straw poll, Vance has not formally declared a 2028 campaign.
In remarks referenced in coverage of the event, he stressed his immediate focus remains on the 2026 midterm elections, leaving open the timing and strategy of any future presidential bid.