Updated July 14, 2026

The 2028 Republican primary

No one has formally entered the 2028 Republican primary yet, but the field is taking shape. Here are the 22 most-discussed Republican contenders, how the nomination is won, and what the calendar looks like.

Where the 2028 Republican race stands

JD Vance leads early 2028 Republican primary polling, averaging about 39% across the most recent surveys, ahead of Marco Rubio (about 18%). No candidate has formally declared yet. See the full 2028 Republican (GOP) primary polls.

How the Republican nomination works

Each state holds a primary or caucus to award delegates. Delegates vote at the Republican National Committee (RNC) national convention in the summer of 2028, and a candidate who wins a majority becomes the nominee.

The official 2028 calendar is not finalized. Traditionally a handful of early states vote first, a large group votes on Super Tuesday in early March, and the rest follow through June.

Traditional early states

These states have often voted first. The 2028 order is not set, but they are worth watching.

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Quick answers

2028 Republican primary FAQ

Who is running in the 2028 Republican primary?
As of June 2026, no candidate has formally declared, but the most-discussed Republican contenders include JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, Dan Greaney, Brian Kemp. See the full field below.
Who is the frontrunner in the 2028 Republican (GOP) primary?
JD Vance is the early frontrunner, averaging about 39% across recent 2028 Republican (GOP) primary polls, ahead of Marco Rubio (about 18%). No candidate has formally declared, and early polls mostly track name recognition.
How does a party pick its 2028 nominee?
Each state holds a primary or caucus to allocate delegates to the candidates. Those delegates then vote at the party's national convention in the summer of 2028, and a candidate who wins a majority of delegates becomes the nominee.
When are the 2028 primaries?
The official 2028 calendar is not finalized yet. Historically, a few early states vote in January and February, a large group of states votes on Super Tuesday in early March, and the remaining states vote through about June.
What is the difference between a primary and a caucus?
A primary is a state-run election with secret ballots. A caucus is a party-run, in-person meeting where supporters gather to show their preference. Most states now use primaries.

See the 2028 primary calendar and schedule, the state-by-state primaries, or the Democratic primary.

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