NEW: Poll Shows Clear Frontrunner In 2028 GOP Primary

A new 2028 Republican presidential primary poll for the key battleground of New Hampshire found Vice President JD Vance maintaining a sizable lead, a trend that has been reflected in wider polling throughout President Donald Trump’s second term.

The poll, which was conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center from March 16-18, found Vice President J.D. Vance in the lead with 46 percent support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio came in second with 27 percent, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley tied for third at five percent each.

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard each received two percent of the vote, while Senator Ted Cruz Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin garnered just one percent. An additional eight percent of respondents indicated that they remain unsure, while five percent voted for another candidate.

Vance remains the leading candidate in the poll, consistent with his position in prior Saint Anselm surveys. However, his 46 percent support represents a decline from 57 percent in the November 2025 iteration of the survey.

Rubio’s support increased considerably, which is consistent with a wider polling bump in recent weeks. The 27 percent he received in the March poll marks a tripling from the 9 percent recorded in November 2025, leaving him still distant but gaining.

For DeSantis and Haley — both of whom campaigned heavily in the Granite State during their respective presidential bids in 2024 — remained largely flat.

🚨 WOW! JD Vance and Marco Rubio were just found to be the CLEAR top two candidates for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination in New Hampshire

Rubio has more than doubled his vote share from October, impressive!

JD and Marco are both great 🇺🇸

Democrats have to pick… pic.twitter.com/rDmUadLReP

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 23, 2026

New Hampshire occupies a distinctive place in the Republican nominating process. The state has long conducted one of the earliest presidential primaries, frequently serving as the first-in-the-nation Republican primary contest after the Iowa caucuses.

Historically, outcomes in New Hampshire have helped determine which campaigns gain momentum, attract additional resources, and advance to subsequent states. A strong showing can consolidate support and discourage competitors, while weaker results may prompt withdrawals or shifts in strategy.

Although changes in the overall primary calendar, such as earlier voting in other states and the role of super PACs, have altered some dynamics, the New Hampshire primary continues to function as an important early filter in the Republican process

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