Presidential hopefuls ranked in crucial battleground state for 2028 election
In the latest Emerson College Polling, conducted among 1,000 North Carolina registered voters from July 28 to 30, JD Vance has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, securing 53% support. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trails behind with 7%, and Marco Rubio follows with 5%.
On the Democratic side, the polling landscape appears more fluid. In a June Emerson national poll, Kamala Harris led with 30%, but Pete Buttigieg has been gaining ground in some state-level polls. In North Carolina, for instance, Buttigieg narrowly leads Harris with 17% to Harris's 12%, while California Governor Gavin Newsom is also in contention with 10% support.
The survey shows 24 percent of Democratic primary voters are undecided. It's worth noting that most candidates have yet to formally declare their intentions, and the field may change significantly as we approach the 2026 midterm elections.
Political science professor Robert Y. Shapiro notes that the early Democratic primary polling mainly reflects name recognition for past presidential candidates. He also expressed that DeSantis and Rubio are considered damaged goods due to their past losses in Republican primaries. Meanwhile, Shapiro attributes Vance's strong polling position to his association with Trump's MAGA positions and his untarnished record from past elections.
In an interview, Vice President Harris expressed dissatisfaction with the political system but stated she does not want to be in it currently, yet would always "be part of the fight." Harris also announced she will not run for California governor in the next cycle, fueling speculation about a potential presidential run.
Politicians such as Buttigieg, Newsom, and others are making public appearances and pursuing national media opportunities, potentially shaping the field of likely contenders. Vance has gained 7 points since a previous survey taken in June by Emerson.
Sources: 1. Economic Times summary of Emerson and other polls, August 4, 2025 2. Emerson College Polling site North Carolina 2026 poll release, August 1, 2025
- Finance experts have been closely monitoring the shifting landscapes of both Democratic and Republican primaries, as fundraising efforts in the run-up to the 2028 elections could prove crucial for candidates' victories, given the general-news coverage and policy-and-legislation implications.
- Amid ongoing debates about the role of media in the political process, the media attention given to the rising star JD Vance has sparked discussions about the impact of favorable news coverage on the election outcomes within the broader context of politics.
- Commenting on the trending discussions surrounding the influence of past losses on candidates' future prospects, science researchers are exploring whether there is a correlation between electoral history and public support in the larger context of elections.
