Photo: Alamy | Analysis by Summer Lane
Secretary of State Marco Rubio seems to be gaining popularity with Americans over the past few months as he has continually taken on new roles and responsibilities within the Trump administration.
While Vice President J.D. Vance was once the inarguable favorite to be the presidential nominee for the Republican Party in 2028, Secretary Rubio’s rising profile nationwide may prove to provide potential competition, should he choose to run for president.
According to new polling from Rasmussen, likely U.S. voters approve of Rubio by 47 percent, and 25 percent hold a “very favorable” impression of him. His approval rating overall is up two percent from last April.
Rubio is also faring well on Polymarket, where he is currently sitting at a 12 percent chance of winning a hypothetical 2028 presidential election. His odds are up by six percent as of Monday. Rubio trails behind only two other high-profile potential candidates: Vice President J.D. Vance and Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom.
And, on Kalshi’s markets, Rubio has a 14 percent chance to win the 2028 presidency, while Newsom and Vance are tied at 19 percent.
This is significant, considering the presidential election is still years on the horizon, but it does indicate that Rubio may emerge as a serious contender for the Oval Office in 2028.
According to ABC, multiple sources allegedly told the outlet that, in light of Rubio’s rising popularity, there may also be a group of emerging GOP donors quietly discussing ways to energize the secretary of state’s potential path to the White House in just two years.
While nothing is set in stone, Rubio’s rising star is certainly a hot topic of conversation. As the war against Iran has unfolded, Rubio has provided a calm and even-keeled presence in the administration. He has, incredibly, been serving not only as the secretary of state, but also as the U.S. acting archivist (that job has since expired), and the national security advisor (upon Mike Walz’s departure).
President Trump has openly lavished Rubio with praise, calling him the “best ever” secretary of state.
“Marco got 100 percent of the votes when he was in [confirmation],” the president remarked during his State of the Union speech in February. “And some of the Democrats are now saying, ‘I can’t believe we approved that guy,’ and he said, ‘It’s an honor that they feel that way.'”
