At the recent Western Conservative Summit in Colorado, a straw poll of over 500 attendees indicated strong early support for Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a potential 2028 Republican presidential nominee. According to the survey results, Rubio received 57 percent of the vote, establishing a 36-point lead over Vice President J.D. Vance.

While the poll provides a snapshot of sentiment among the specific group of conservatives present at the summit, it is important to note that straw polls are non-scientific and reflect only the views of those in attendance rather than the broader Republican electorate. The data highlights a significant preference for Rubio among this specific cohort, though it does not necessarily predict the outcome of future primary contests or national polling. The Hill reported these figures as a measure of current conservative enthusiasm, focusing on the margin between the two prominent party figures.