“Marco Rubio is amazing,” said James Schaare, 61, a VIP CPAC attendee. “I used to not be a fan, but in the last year or two, Marco Rubio has really amazed me. I would support him.” 

Rubio was among the more than a dozen Republicans who unsuccessfully challenged President Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump even branded the secretary of state “Little Marco” back then.

But in the decade since, Trump elevated Rubio as his top foreign diplomat and appointed him as acting archivist of the United States and acting national security adviser. Rubio also previously held the title of administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. 

Trump has repeatedly praised Rubio’s handling of Venezuela after capturing former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. Rubio also won plaudits from Trump for his high-profile role amid the Iran war and for amping up pressure on Cuba to transition to new leadership.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed by the MAGA base. 

“He has really impressed me in his role,” said Kim Sanders, 61, a small business owner from Alabama. “And I’ve seen him change across time, and I’ve seen a little more maturity … because I think that he’s been a more deliberate, intentional ambassador for our country than I expected him to be.” 

Virginia Bond, a 74-year-old retiree from Grapevine, Texas, said she was supporting Rubio because “he’s really stepped up and supported Trump and really helped with Trump’s policies.” 

CPAC attendees also claimed that Rubio was their choice because Vance still had time to seek the White House after the 2028 race. 

“I like Rubio just because he has a little more experience. I think JD has got a great future ahead of him, and I think we could really use him back in the Senate if he’s not on the ticket,” said Bond. “But yeah, Rubio is my choice.” 

“JD, he’s still young. I think he’s got some time. He’s got some time to serve,” Sanders added. “But I think maybe 2028 our nominee is Rubio.”

Trump has indicated he would support a GOP ticket that includes both Rubio and Vance, as did many people at CPAC. But which man is the actual nominee, and who is the running mate, is still unclear. 

“It would be a tough decision. I like them equally. I would say,” said Anne Diaz, 64, from Georgetown, Texas. “They’d be good together. It would be a good team.” 

Sandy Schoepke, a Georgia resident who is moving to Texas, told the Washington Examiner she was skeptical of Vance running in 2028 and said her top choice was Rubio. 

“I don’t think Vance is gonna run in 2028”, Schoepke said. “I think Vance has done a great job. I think they’d be a great ticket. But I don’t think Vance would want to be a vice president to Rubio.”

At the 2025 CPAC, Vance overwhelmingly led all 2028 Republicans in the straw poll. Vance was the top choice for 61% of the nearly 1,000 people surveyed at last year’s confab.

Rubio only received 3% support, but that will likely increase when CPAC releases the 2026 straw poll on Saturday. Neither Rubio nor Vance attended this year’s CPAC, and Trump is also skipping the annual conference. But it hasn’t stopped the fervent support for the secretary of state. 

THE ROAD TO THE 2028 GOP NOMINATION: VANCE WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO BEAT, BUT SOMEONE WILL TRY

If Rubio does decide to seek the White House again, he will have a base ready to come to his aid. 

“I would campaign for him,” said Schaare, the VIP CPAC attendee. “I work on a lot of campaigns here locally. And, I mean, I would actually work on his campaign if I could.”