JD Vance leads CPAC poll for next Republican presidential candidate
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- A CPAC poll of over 1,600 attendees named Vice President JD Vance as the top choice for the next Republican presidential candidate, with 53% support, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 35%.
- CPAC, a key annual event for conservative politicians and activists, is held in Grapevine, Texas, and its straw poll reflects conservative sentiments but is not a definitive predictor of the Republican nominee.
- The poll indicates ongoing support for Donald Trump’s administration among CPAC participants despite divisions within the MAGA movement caused by controversies like the Epstein files and US foreign wars.
- Internal rifts in the conservative movement persist, highlighted by figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene leaving Congress over disagreements related to the Epstein revelations and Middle East conflicts.
- Compared to last year’s CPAC poll, Vance’s support remains strong, Rubio’s popularity has surged due to his foreign policy role, while other figures like Steve Bannon and Ron DeSantis have seen fluctuating support.
