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Other prominent figures fared even worse. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and soon-to-be UN Ambassador Elise Stefanik each pulled in a mere three percent. Donald Trump Jr., Vivek Ramaswamy, and Tulsi Gabbard secured just two percent, while Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) managed only one percent apiece. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, surprisingly, received no votes at all. Additionally, four percent of attendees identified as “undecided.”
CPAC’s Influence on the GOP Future
CPAC’s annual straw poll has long been a reliable gauge of conservative sentiment and a bellwether for the Republican primary field. President Donald Trump himself acknowledged its importance during his keynote address. Back in 2023, Trump won the CPAC straw poll by an impressive 40 points before steamrolling DeSantis and Haley en route to securing the GOP nomination.
Vance’s commanding performance signals a Republican base that remains deeply aligned with the Trump movement. His overwhelming support suggests a clear path for the vice president should he decide to pursue the presidency in 2028.
Conservatives Rally Behind Trump’s Agenda
Beyond the presidential race, CPAC attendees made it clear they remain fiercely loyal to Trump’s vision for America. A staggering 99 percent of respondents backed the statement: “The first few weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency have been the best for the modern conservative movement in my lifetime,” with an overwhelming 94 percent saying they “strongly agreed.”
This near-unanimous endorsement of Trump’s agenda underscores the GOP’s firm commitment to his policies and leadership style, leaving little room for deviation among future candidates.
Strong Support for Elon Musk’s Government Overhaul
CPAC attendees also expressed overwhelming support for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. A resounding 89 percent of those polled said they wanted DOGE to have direct control over auditing federal agencies and allocating government funds. Musk’s push for streamlining bureaucracy and eliminating waste appears to have struck a chord with conservatives who are fed up with bloated government spending.
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A Clear Message for 2028
The CPAC straw poll results send a resounding message to the Republican establishment: the party’s base remains firmly in the hands of the Trump-aligned movement, and J.D. Vance is their top choice moving forward. With DeSantis struggling to gain traction and other potential candidates failing to excite the conservative grassroots, Vance’s dominance in this early test could set the stage for a seismic 2028 showdown.
As the political landscape continues to shift, one thing remains certain—CPAC remains the pulse of the conservative movement, and this year’s poll has made it crystal clear who the GOP faithful want leading the charge in the post-Trump era.
