The 2028 Republican primary already feels like a two-man race. Both Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have strong claims to succeed President Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, and Trump himself has refused to play favorites.

Until recently, Rubio seemed the more likely of the two to sit out 2028. But in May, Rubio posted what looked unmistakably like a campaign ad to his X account – and the debate over which man is better suited to win has been live ever since.

Rubio is the stronger candidate for the 2028 general election, even though Vance has the more natural path to the presidential nomination. Republicans should give Rubio a shot if they want to win.

Rubio is a better candidate than Vance

Vance has long been viewed as the one with the inside track to the nomination – he is, after all, the sitting vice president. But the gap has narrowed throughout the spring, with the two men running neck and neck in polling.

Even the president appears unsettled. He has suggested that Vance and........

© USA TODAY