{"id":2647396,"date":"2026-08-20T13:22:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T17:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/buttigieg-is-democrats-best-chance-at-beating-rubio-or-vance-poll\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T13:25:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T17:25:59","slug":"buttigieg-is-democrats-best-chance-at-beating-rubio-or-vance-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/buttigieg-is-democrats-best-chance-at-beating-rubio-or-vance-poll\/","title":{"rendered":"Buttigieg is Democrats&#8217; best chance at beating Rubio or Vance: Poll"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbuttigieg-is-democrats-best-chance-at-beating-rubio-or-vance-poll%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2647396&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Pete buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, is considered the Democratic Party\u2019s strongest candidate to potentially win the presidency in 2028 against republican contenders Marco Rubio or JD Vance, according to a recent Emerson College poll. In hypothetical matchups,Buttigieg led both Republicans by 5 points wiht 49% support among likely voters,while Rubio and Vance trailed at 44%. The poll also indicates that Rubio has a slight edge over Vance in voter support and performs better against certain Democratic candidates, such as Sen. jon Ossoff and Gov. Gavin Newsom. Notably, some democrats like Kamala Harris and alexandria Ocasio-Cortez face difficulties in hypothetical contests, with Ocasio-Cortez losing to both Republican challengers in the poll. Buttigieg remains a strong contender, keeping open the possibility of a presidential run.The GOP&#8217;s main contenders, Rubio and Vance, haven\u2019t confirmed their 2028 bids but are expected to announce after the November midterms. The poll surveyed 1,000 likely voters nationwide with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former Transportation Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pete-buttigieg\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"410\">Pete Buttigieg<\/a> appears to be the Democratic Party\u2019s best chance at winning the presidency against Secretary of State <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marco-rubio\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"51\">Marco Rubio<\/a> or Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jd-vance\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"7658\">JD Vance<\/a> in 2028, according to a poll released on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In hypothetical matchups in the latest <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/emersoncollegepolling.com\/august-2026-national-poll\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/emersoncollegepolling.com\/august-2026-national-poll\/\">Emerson College survey<\/a>, Buttigieg led both likely GOP presidential contenders by 5 points, with 49% support among likely voters compared to his opponents\u2019 equal 44% share. In Buttigieg\u2019s possible contest with Vance, 8% of voters were undecided. But with Buttigieg against Rubio, 7% were undecided.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4694337\/buttigieg-performs-best-democrats-rubio-or-vance-potential-2028-contest-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Buttigieg performs best among Democrats against Rubio or Vance in possible 2028 contest: Poll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4694480\/2028-dnc-host-city-short-list-boston-denver-philadelphia\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats narrow 2028 convention host-city short list after booting Chicago and Atlanta<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4693611\/youth-movement-2028-presidential-election\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>A youth movement is coming for the 2028 presidential election<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The undecided voter figures show Rubio fares slightly better against the prospective Democratic candidate than Vance. Rubio\u2019s edge over Vance holds up in their respective matchups with four other Democrats.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4601101\/democrats-ruled-out-2028-presidential-bid\/\">WHICH DEMOCRATS HAVE TAKEN THEMSELVES OUT OF THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL RACE?<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jon-ossoff\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3194\">Jon Ossoff<\/a> (D-GA) as their competitor, Rubio and Vance are both tied at 44% again. But Rubio only trails Ossoff by 3 points, whereas Vance trails the incumbent Senate Democrat by 5 points. Ossoff is up for reelection this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While facing Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1426\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> (D-CA), Rubio is behind the Democrat by 2 points and Vance by 5 points. The governor is leaving office in January 2027, so he is among the rumored contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her matchup with Rubio, former Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"748\">Kamala Harris<\/a> falls 5 points behind. But against Vance, she leads by 4 points. Harris, who lost to President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> in 2024, has not decided on a comeback presidential run yet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"282\">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez<\/a> (D-NY) is the only possible presidential candidate who loses to both Rubio and Vance in the poll. She is 5 points behind Rubio and 2 points behind Vance. The progressive lawmaker has not ruled out a presidential bid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of all five prospective Democratic candidates in the poll, Buttigieg was the one who held his own the most against the two <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a> officials. He is keeping a presidential run on the table for now. Speculation of his possible presidential campaign comes as Buttigieg prepares to headline a conference hosted by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/south-carolina\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"524\">South Carolina<\/a> Democratic Party this Saturday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4681135\/pete-buttigieg-south-carolina-democrats-headline\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4681135\/pete-buttigieg-south-carolina-democrats-headline\/\">PETE BUTTIGIEG TO HEADLINE MAJOR SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS CONFERENCE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither Rubio nor Vance has decided on running for president in 2028, but they are the two favorite Republican contenders right now. Their announcements about entry into the race will likely come after the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/midterm-elections\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"308\">midterm elections<\/a> in November. Trump has not officially named his preferred successor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emerson College surveyed 1,000 likely voters across the nation from Aug. 16 to 17. The poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points in either direction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buttigieg leads GOP contenders in 2028 poll, Emerson survey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2647397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26220019228227.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32431,3685,36453,32504,15638],"class_list":["post-2647396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-2024-election","tag-democrats","tag-pete-buttigieg","tag-political-strategy","tag-polls"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26220019228227.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647396"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647399,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647396\/revisions\/2647399"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}