Hypothetical candidates for 2028 presidential race come into focus in Emerson College Poll

BOSTON (WRIC) -- A new Emerson College Polling survey of U.S. voters indicates Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has minimal support as a possible candidate for the 2028 Republican presidential primary.

Only 0.9% of U.S. voters surveyed said they would support a presidential bid from the governor -- a slight increase from 0.5% of voters in the National Poll in June. Youngkin has repeatedly said he has no plans to run for the position, despite visiting destinations that are popular with candidates "exploring a presidential bid."

The poll's top pick of the 2028 Republican presidential primary is Vice President JD Vance with 51.7% support, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio with 9.4%.

From the Emerson College August 2025 National Poll. (Courtesy of Emerson College Polling)

On the Democratic side of the polling, the frontrunners are much closer. California Governor Gavin Newsom leads with 25% support -- a 13-point increase from the June National Poll -- followed by former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg (16%) and former Vice President Kamala Harris (11%).

In a hypothetical matchup between Vance and Newsom, the potential candidates are tied with 44% support each. In the National Poll in July, Vance led Newsom with 45% to 42%.

From the Emerson College August 2025 National Poll. (Courtesy of Emerson College Polling)

“Newsom’s recent gains are driven largely by younger voters 18-29: after splitting this group in June (39% to 38%), he now holds a clear lead, 45% to 28%,” said Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling.

As for the current head of state, President Donald Trump, he currently has a 45% job approval rating and 47% disapproval rating -- a 1-point drop in approval and a steady hold on disapproval since last month's poll.

From the Emerson College August 2025 National Poll. (Courtesy of Emerson College Polling)

The survey found 48% of U.S. voters disapproved of President Trump deploying the National Guard to 19 states to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while 44% approved of the action.

The top issue for U.S. voters continues to be the economy (33%), followed by threats to democracy (24%), immigration (12%) and healthcare (9%). Of those polled, 41% said their family's finances were worse off than a year ago -- up four points from July -- and 28% said they were better off financially than a year ago -- a four-point decrease.