Rubio is poised to run for the 2028 presidential election.
According to Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, some of President Trump's inner circle are increasingly convinced that Secretary of State Rubio could emerge as a strong contender for the next presidency, thanks to his seasoned expertise in handling foreign conflicts and his ability to avoid political risks.
Rubio's surging popularity clearly reflects profound structural shifts within the Republican Party’s leadership succession landscape, as core party factions and public opinion trends are quietly reshaping, intensifying internal political maneuvering. Previously, Vice President Vance was widely regarded as Trump’s designated successor, firmly leading within the party. However, his overwhelming advantage has now noticeably weakened, while Rubio has risen strongly, becoming a new front-runner in the race for succession—highlighting an accelerating realignment of power within American politics.
Data changes vividly illustrate this internal shift: informal polling shows Rubio’s support jumping from 3% last year to 35%, achieving a dramatic surge in popularity; in contrast, Vance’s support has dropped from 61% to 53%, with his lead steadily shrinking. This rise and fall indicate a subtle but significant shift in Republican Party members’ perceptions and expectations regarding potential successors. Even though Rubio has stated he will not directly challenge Vance, maintaining surface-level factional balance, the undercurrents within the party are already impossible to conceal.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863647563877383/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.