Republican primary matchup

Marco Rubio vs Ted Cruz: 2028

Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are both potential candidates for the Republican nomination in 2028. They would be competing for the same primary voters. No one has formally declared yet, so this is a comparison of where each stands, not a result.

Marco Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State

RepublicanLikely to run

14%Win-presidency snapshot

Age (2026): 55
Home state: Florida
Age in 2029: 57

Ted Cruz

U.S. Senator (Texas)

RepublicanPossible

Age (2026): 55
Home state: Texas
Age in 2029: 58

Percentages are a snapshot of the Polymarket 2028 presidential winner market (June 2026). They move constantly and mostly track name recognition this far out - they are not forecasts.

Polls and odds

Rubio vs Cruz 2028 polls and odds

Are there Marco Rubio vs Ted Cruz polls yet? Not for this exact pairing. Pollsters have begun testing some hypothetical 2028 matchups, but none has published this one. Any single "Marco Rubio vs Ted Cruz 2028 poll" you see today is an early, low-signal hypothetical, not a forecast.

The closest real, continuously updated signal is the prediction market. Below is each candidate's current share of the Polymarket 2028 presidential-winner market - a June 2026 snapshot that, this early, tracks name recognition more than the eventual outcome.

14%

Marco Rubio - chance to win the presidency

n/a

Ted Cruz - chance to win the presidency

See the full live board on the 2028 election odds page and aggregated survey averages on the 2028 polls page. These percentages are not forecasts and move constantly.

Marco Rubio: where things stand

Former 2016 candidate now serving as Secretary of State. Named by President Trump as a possible successor and widely seen as the main alternative to Vance.

Standing: Consistently second to JD Vance in 2028 Republican primary polls and the main alternative to him; one May 2026 Emerson survey showed them within a point, but most polls give Vance a double-digit lead.

Full Marco Rubio 2028 profile

Ted Cruz: where things stand

The 2016 runner-up and Texas senator has said he expects to seek the presidency again and was reported to be weighing a campaign.

Standing: Says he expects to run again 'at some point'.

Full Ted Cruz 2028 profile

Quick answers

Marco Rubio vs Ted Cruz: FAQ

Who would win, Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz, in 2028?

It is too early to know. No 2028 nominees have been chosen and no pollster has published a head-to-head for this pairing yet. Marco Rubio is currently rated "Likely to run" and Ted Cruz "Possible" to run.

Are there Marco Rubio vs Ted Cruz 2028 polls?

Not for this exact pairing yet. Pollsters have begun testing some hypothetical 2028 matchups, but none has published a Marco Rubio vs Ted Cruz survey so far. We will add head-to-head polling here as soon as a pollster tests this matchup.

Are Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz running for president in 2028?

As of July 2026 neither has formally declared. Marco Rubio: Named by Trump as a potential successor. Ted Cruz: Says he expects to run again 'at some point'.

Is this a primary matchup?

Yes. Both Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are Republicans, so they would compete in the same party primary, not against each other in the general election.

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