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With more than two years remaining before the 2028 U.S. presidential election, political discussions are already intensifying over who could succeed President Donald Trump. However, neither party has officially nominated a presidential candidate, making it impossible to reliably predict who will become the next president of the United States.
Recent national polls and political discussions have brought several names to the forefront. Among Republicans, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are attracting considerable attention. On the Democratic side, former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senator Jon Ossoff are among the potential contenders.
Can Trump Run for President Again?
One of the biggest questions surrounding the 2028 election is whether Donald Trump could seek another presidential term.
Under the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, no person may be elected president more than twice. Trump won the presidency in 2016 and again in 2024. Under the generally accepted constitutional interpretation, he would therefore be ineligible to be elected president for a third time in 2028.
As a result, the Republican Party's succession debate is increasingly focused on Trump's political legacy and which candidate might receive his endorsement and inherit his support base.
JD Vance: The Most Discussed Republican Contender
Vice President JD Vance is currently one of the most prominent potential Republican presidential candidates.
Vance served as Trump's running mate in the 2024 election and is now serving as vice president. However, he has not officially announced whether he will run for president in 2028.
In June, Vance told CBS News that he and his wife would make a decision about the 2028 election after the 2026 midterm elections. He also said he expected Trump to support his future decision.
Recent Emerson College polling has placed Vance and Marco Rubio among the leading potential Republican candidates.
Could Marco Rubio Be an Alternative to Vance?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is another major name in the Republican succession debate.
Rubio has extensive political experience, particularly in national security and foreign policy. His current role as the country's top diplomat could strengthen his national profile ahead of the next presidential election.
In Emerson College polling conducted in August 2026, Rubio performed better than Vance in some hypothetical matchups against potential Democratic candidates.
However, these findings should not be interpreted as predictions of the actual election outcome. The nomination process has not yet begun, and the political landscape could change significantly before 2028.
Donald Trump Jr. Also in the Conversation
Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, has also been mentioned among potential Republican presidential contenders.
Recent potential-candidate listings compiled by RealClearPolitics have placed Trump Jr. behind Vance and Rubio in the Republican field.
However, he has not demonstrated the same level of visible political preparation or made an announcement comparable to what would be expected from a formally declared presidential candidate.
Democrats Face a More Open Contest
The Democratic Party's 2028 presidential field remains particularly open.
A June 2026 analysis by The Washington Post noted that Democrats had no officially declared presidential candidates and no clear front-runner at that stage. Potential contenders include governors, senators and former Cabinet officials.
Nevertheless, several names have repeatedly appeared in recent polling and political discussions.
Could Kamala Harris Run Again?
Former Vice President Kamala Harris remains one of the most recognizable potential Democratic presidential candidates.
Although she lost the 2024 presidential election to Trump, Harris retains a strong national profile and remains a prominent figure within the Democratic Party.
Several polls conducted in 2026 have shown Harris leading among potential Democratic contenders. According to RealClearPolitics' aggregated polling data for September, she was ahead of other possible candidates in the Democratic nomination race.
Her biggest challenge would be convincing Democratic voters that she remains the party's strongest option after the 2024 defeat.
Gavin Newsom's Prospects
California Governor Gavin Newsom is another leading potential Democratic candidate.
Newsom has openly opposed several Trump administration policies and has expanded his national political profile through his criticism of the president.
Recent polls have placed him among the leading potential Democratic contenders.
His prospects will depend on his ability to maintain support within the party, raise campaign funds and appeal to voters across the country as the nomination process approaches.
Pete Buttigieg Remains a Potential Contender
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is another important name in discussions about the Democratic Party's future.
Buttigieg competed for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. His relatively young age and national political experience have helped maintain his visibility within the party.
In Emerson College polling conducted in 2026, Buttigieg performed well among potential Democratic candidates. Some hypothetical general-election matchups also showed him in a competitive position against Vance.
However, his actual prospects will depend on his campaign strategy, fundraising capacity and ability to build support among Democratic voters.
Jon Ossoff: A Potential Candidate From a New Generation
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has also emerged as a possible future Democratic presidential contender.
Ossoff is among the younger Democratic leaders whose names have surfaced in discussions about the party's next generation. His inclusion in recent polling reflects growing attention to potential alternatives to more established Democratic figures.
Whether he ultimately decides to run for president in 2028 remains uncertain.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely known as AOC, is another name mentioned in discussions about potential Democratic candidates.
A prominent figure in the party's progressive wing, she has considerable recognition among younger voters and is closely associated with progressive policy positions.
However, she has not confirmed whether she intends to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
What Do the Latest Polls Say?
According to RealClearPolitics' average of national polls through September 2026, Harris led the potential Democratic nomination field with approximately 26 percent support. Newsom followed with around 14 percent, while Buttigieg stood at approximately 13 percent.
On the Republican side, Vance led with roughly 40 percent support, followed by Rubio at approximately 23 percent. Trump Jr. received around 11 percent.
These figures measure current preferences among respondents considering potential candidates. They are not primary election results and should not be treated as definitive indicators of who will win either party's nomination.
A Potential Vance–Newsom Showdown
Several national polls have examined hypothetical general-election matchups between Vance and Newsom.
In an Emerson College poll conducted in August 2026 and included in the RealClearPolitics aggregation, Newsom received 49 percent support, compared with 44 percent for Vance.
Earlier polls produced different results, with Vance leading in some surveys and Newsom ahead in others.
The variation suggests that the potential contest remains competitive and that neither candidate has established a decisive advantage.
Vance vs. Kamala Harris
A hypothetical contest between Vance and Harris has also produced relatively close results.
In the August Emerson College poll, Harris received 49 percent support, while Vance received 45 percent.
However, this was a hypothetical matchup rather than an actual election ballot. The results could change considerably once the parties select their nominees and the general-election campaigns begin.
The Economy Could Be a Major Election Issue
It is too early to determine which issues will dominate the 2028 presidential election. However, the economy was the leading concern among voters in the 2026 Emerson National Poll.
Approximately 37 percent of respondents identified the economy as their top priority. Threats to democracy and health care each received 16 percent, while immigration was cited by 13 percent.
These findings suggest that inflation, employment, the cost of living, health care, immigration and national security could play significant roles in shaping the 2028 campaign.
The relative importance of these issues will depend on economic conditions, government policies and international developments over the next two years.
Why the 2026 Midterm Elections Matter
The November 3, 2026, midterm elections will serve as an important political test ahead of the presidential contest.
Voters will decide control of the House of Representatives and the Senate, making the elections a critical measure of the two parties' political strength.
The outcome could reflect public sentiment toward the Trump administration, economic conditions, immigration policy and foreign affairs.
The results could also influence the prospects of potential presidential candidates. A strong Republican performance could strengthen Vance and other figures associated with the administration, while Democratic gains could provide momentum to Newsom, Harris and other party leaders.
Who Could Become the Next President?
At this stage, no individual can be identified with confidence as the next president of the United States.
As of October 2026, polling and political discussions point to JD Vance and Marco Rubio as leading potential Republican contenders. Among Democrats, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg are among the most prominent names.
Vance's position as vice president and his political relationship with Trump could be significant advantages. Rubio brings extensive experience in foreign policy and national security. On the Democratic side, Harris has strong national name recognition, Newsom has a prominent record as California governor, and Buttigieg brings previous presidential campaign experience and national political visibility.
However, the current polling landscape is far from a reliable forecast of the 2028 election.
The eventual outcome will depend on candidate announcements, party primaries, fundraising, the 2026 midterm elections and developments in the economy and international affairs over the next two years.
Summary
Potential Republican candidates
- JD Vance
- Marco Rubio
- Donald Trump Jr.
- Ron DeSantis and several others
Potential Democratic candidates
- Kamala Harris
- Gavin Newsom
- Pete Buttigieg
- Jon Ossoff
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- Other governors and senators
Current outlook: The 2028 U.S. presidential race remains wide open. Neither party has officially selected its nominee, and no candidate can yet be considered the certain winner.