Who should succeed Trump in 2028? MAGA voters name Vance and Rubio

With Democrats taking control of Congress in the midterm elections, MAGA voters are already sizing up potential successors to President Donald Trump in 2028, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio repeatedly emerging as favorites.

Fox News Digital spoke with Americans attending a Trump rally in Bangor, Maine, one of Trump's final stops before Tuesday's midterms.

Fueled by anger over high costs and the war with Iran, Americans voted to oust Trump and his agenda, boosting Democrats to large majorities in the House and Senate. The result has been described as a stunning blue wave.

Of Rubio, one voter said, 'I like [Rubio]. I like that he's no-nonsense, similar to Trump.' Another said, 'Well, I like JD Vance obviously. I like Marco Rubio. There's some other ones too that are maybe not so much mainstream that are coming up that I like too.'

Another voter said, 'JD is great too, but Rubio has a little more experience. He's articulate, he's well spoken. He's got good ideas. I just really like him.'

Many voters, however, did not want to choose between the two. 'I'm really open to see who can fill Trump's footsteps, not just the next person in line,' one said. Another said, 'I wish Trump could run again.'

The name of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also came up. In a news conference on Wednesday, he praised Florida for keeping the state under GOP control, suggesting his governance was a reason Florida Republicans held on. At the rally, one voter said, 'I would like to see either JD And Marco, or JD And Governor DeSantis. That's what I would feel comfortable with.'

Beyond Vance, Rubio and DeSantis, other prominent Republicans whose names have surfaced in early 2028 discussions include Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley. The Cruz-Vance rivalry has also heated up, after the Texas senator suggested the vice president was 'feeling insecure.'

According to a source, Trump told donors, 'We need to elect JD,' as he weighs Vance or Rubio in 2028.

No major Republican contender has formally announced a 2028 presidential campaign, though the conclusion of the midterms has brought the party's next presidential nomination into sharper focus.

Some Trump supporters stopped short of choosing between the two, praising both as potential successors. 'I like JD Vance, and I like Marco Rubio,' one said. 'I think those are two very outstanding candidates that will continue to make America great again.'

A Fox News/NORC study found that voters looking to 2028 are focused on the economy. Democrats are looking to rebuke Trump and his allies, while Republicans are searching for a candidate who can fill in Trump's footsteps.