Vance Tops CPAC Straw Poll, Rubio Close Behind

0:00It's March 28. From breaking headlines to national stories, this is U.S. News today, powered by AI. Vice President JD Vance just topped the straw poll at CPAC as the top pick for the next Republican presidential nominee in 2028. Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, came in second with 35% of the vote at this big conservative gathering in Great Fine Texas. CPAC pulls in the heart of the party's right wing, lawmakers, activists, and potential candidates giving a quick read on the MAGA crowd's vibe now. That President Trump can't run again in his second term. Last year, Marilyn Vance crushed it with 61%, while Rubio barely hit 3%, but he's climbed thanks to his key moves on. Venezuela and Iran opts. No one else cracked 2% this time, showing conservatives rallying around these two as the early frontrunners. That energy at CPAC hints at how the base might shape the race ahead.