Evangelicals are already looking to Trump’s successor

Vance continues to be seen as the natural heir to the MAGA movement. But many believe that Rubio is already ahead.

The presidential elections in the USA will only take place in 2 and a half years, but the dispute for Donald Trump’s succession inside the Republican Party has already begun to take shape behind the scenes in Washington.

Two names are increasingly emerging as favorites among conservatives and, in particular, with the influential evangelical electorate: or vice-president JD Vance and the Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

And evangelical voters are not a detail for the Republicans: they helped the election of Donald Trump in 2024, recalls .

Vance continues to be seen as the natural heir to the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement; has ideological and personal proximity to Donald Trump. The former senator from Ohio consolidated himself within the populist and nationalist wing of the Republican Party, maintaining a discourse centered on economic protectionism, the fight against illegal immigration and traditional conservative values.

But it is Rubio which has been recovering ground significantly. Trump’s rival in the 2016 Republican primaries managed to reinvent himself politically and assume a central role in the Republican administration. The Secretary of State is now seen by many moderate Republicans and evangelicals as a more stable and presidential figure, especially on issues of foreign policy and international security.

Many believe Rubio has the upper hand. Rubio’s growing popularity has been evident in several recent polls. A survey released by AtlasIntel even shows the Secretary of State ahead of Vance in voting intentions for the 2028 Republican primaries, in a significant reversal in relation to the numbers recorded at the end of 2025.

The support of evangelicals could prove decisive in this future presidential race. This is one of the Republican Party’s most influential electoral blocs, especially in key states. Vance maintains strong support among the most conservative and nationalist sectors, while Rubio seems to win over religious voters more concerned with political stability and government experience.

Despite growing media speculation, both Vance and Rubio have sought avoid statements formalities about a possible candidacy. Both publicly insist that the priority continues to be supporting Trump’s presidency and ensuring good results in the 2026 midterm elections. Still, signs of political preparation are multiplying, from strategic trips to important electoral states to the mobilization of donors and supporters.

Donald Trump, for its part, continues to fuel the rivalry ambiguously, refusing to indicate a clear successor. The American President has repeatedly praised both men and even toyed with the possibility of a future joint Rubio-Vance candidacy.