General election matchup

Marco Rubio vs Bernie Sanders: 2028

Marco Rubio (Republican) and Bernie Sanders (Democratic) are two of the most-discussed names for 2028 - but they have never faced each other, and no 2028 nominee has been chosen. No pollster has published a head-to-head for this exact pairing yet, so the honest answer to "who would win" is: it is far too early to know. Here is how they actually compare.

Marco Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State

RepublicanLikely to run

14%Win-presidency snapshot

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

Bernie Sanders

U.S. Senator (Vermont)

DemocraticPossible

Age (2026): 84
Home state: Vermont
Age in 2029: 87

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 Sanders 2028 polls and odds

Are there Marco Rubio vs Bernie Sanders 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 Bernie Sanders 2028 poll" you see today is an early, low-signal hypothetical, not a forecast.

What does exist is real, dated primary polling for each name: Marco Rubio polled 26% in the latest Republican primary survey on file (Quantus Insights, July 3-7, 2026, 480 LV). Full tables are on the 2028 polls page.

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

Bernie Sanders - 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

Bernie Sanders: where things stand

The progressive Vermont senator and two-time presidential candidate whose movement still shapes the party, though his age makes a third run unlikely.

Standing: Has all but ruled out a 2028 run, citing his age - saying of a bid, 'I suspect that's not going to happen'.

Full Bernie Sanders 2028 profile

Quick answers

Marco Rubio vs Bernie Sanders: FAQ

Who would win, Marco Rubio or Bernie Sanders, 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 Bernie Sanders "Possible" to run.

Are there Marco Rubio vs Bernie Sanders 2028 polls?

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

Are Marco Rubio and Bernie Sanders running for president in 2028?

As of July 2026 neither has formally declared. Marco Rubio: Named by Trump as a potential successor. Bernie Sanders: Has all but ruled out a 2028 run, citing his age - saying of a bid, 'I suspect that's not going to happen'.

Is this a Democrat vs Republican matchup?

Yes. Marco Rubio is a Republican and Bernie Sanders is a Democrat, so this would be a general-election style matchup if both won their party's nomination.

Don't miss the moment

Get alerts on this 2028 matchup

We will email you if Marco or Bernie enters the race or the odds move.