The Conservative Political Action Conference held a straw poll for the 2028 Republican primary, with JD Vance leading at 53% support and Marco Rubio making significant gains at 35%.

Rubio's performance marked a dramatic increase from his 3% showing in the previous year's poll, indicating growing momentum for the Florida senator among CPAC attendees. The results suggest an early competitive dynamic between Vance and Rubio for potential future GOP leadership.

The conference drew attention for discussions among young Republican attendees about the future direction of the conservative movement. Some participants expressed views about moving beyond the Trump era, though the gathering's attendance was described as smaller than in previous years.

CPAC straw polls have historically served as early indicators of grassroots conservative sentiment, though they do not necessarily predict actual primary outcomes. The 2028 poll results reflect early positioning among potential Republican candidates as the party considers its future leadership.

The conference highlighted ongoing conversations within the Republican Party about generational change and political direction, with younger attendees playing a notable role in these discussions about the movement's trajectory.