Reeher Quoted in Newsweek Article on Sec. Marco Rubio Making Significant Gains in New 2028 Poll

July 22, 2026

Newsweek

Grant Reeher

Political Science Department

Campbell Public Affairs Institute

Federal Government

U.S. Elections

United States

Newsweek

Grant Reeher

A new University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll shows Rubio has significantly narrowed the gap with Vance in the 2028 GOP field, rising to 26% support compared to Vance's 36%, up sharply from just 7% and 5% in the pollster's February and October surveys, respectively. No candidate in either party has formally announced a campaign.

“Vance will be perceived as the more Trump-like candidate, given his proximity to Trump, and some of his rhetoric. If they run a full primary, and Trump doesn’t put his thumb—or fist, rather—on the scale, I would expect Rubio to prevail,” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science.

“He will tap some of the buyer’s remorse over Trump, which is evident in some of the polling, and among the Party’s elite. And he is also the more strategic candidate in the general election—he could dampen some of the deep resentment toward Trump that Vance would activate,” Reeher adds.

Read more in the Newsweek article, “Marco Rubio Surging as JD Vance Drops Double Digits in New 2028 Poll.”

In Other News

Reeher weighed in on governor races and data centers in the Newsweek article, “Map Shows States Where Governor Candidates Support Data Center Moratoriums.” “As to how it will play out in each race, much will depend on the state of economic development in that area or state. If an area or state is struggling to keep population, businesses, and the tax base, it will be controversial,” he says.

And he spoke with WSYR-TV about the Onondaga County term limit debacle. “The political polarization that we have been living through in the last several decades, which has really reached a historical peak during the Trump era…is the reason why this is going on,” Reeher says.