Vice President J.D. Vance emerged as the leading choice for the Republican presidential nomination in a straw poll conducted at the National Pro-Life Summit, organizers said Monday.
The poll, held by pro-life advocacy groups at the summit, asked attendees to identify their preferred Republican candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Vance received the highest share of support among participants, followed by other potential GOP contenders, the Washington Times reported.
Organizers said the results reflect preferences among grassroots pro-life activists and youth voters who attended the event, where abortion policy was cited as a top issue for respondents. Nearly half of attendees ranked abortion as their single most important voting issue, with a significant majority listing it among their top two priorities.
“The dedicated grassroots of GOP activists – Pro-Life, Youth Voters – pick Vice President JD Vance as their top GOP Presidential Contender … and flag CA Gov. Gavin Newsom as the possible leader of the Democratic Party,” said Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins in a statement, the Times noted. “Legislators take note: the campaign season has begun.”
While the straw poll is nonbinding, participants and organizers described it as an early indicator of priorities within the pro-life segment of the Republican Party as the 2028 campaign cycle begins to take shape.
Other potential Republican candidates received support in the poll, including figures such as lorida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and House Speaker Mike Johnson, though specific rankings were not released by organizers. The poll also included a separate question on likely Democratic contenders, in which respondents named California Gov. Gavin Newsom as the anticipated Democratic nominee, over former Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
The results come as political interest in the 2028 presidential contest grows, with many potential candidates already testing support ahead of formal campaign announcements.
Vance addressed thousands of pro-life advocates at the 53rd annual March for Life last month, urging them not to lose hope amid concerns about the Trump administration’s pace on abortion policy.
Speaking to a crowd gathered on the National Mall in Washington, Vance acknowledged internal debates within the pro-life movement over whether sufficient political progress has been made.
Vance said he understood frustrations among activists who believe change has not come quickly enough through the political process. He told attendees that disagreements over strategy are natural and said such discussions help hold elected officials accountable.
Vance urged the crowd to remain encouraged, quoting scripture and calling on activists to remember the broader goals of the movement.
The vice president noted the generational differences within the crowd, pointing to younger attendees who have only known the legal landscape following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
He contrasted that with older activists who spent decades advocating for abortion policy decisions to be returned to voters rather than courts.
Vance referenced personal experiences with ballot initiatives and acknowledged both victories and setbacks faced by pro-life advocates over the years.
He encouraged attendees to reflect on where the movement stood a decade ago compared to its current position.
“We have made tremendous strides over the last year,” Vance said, while adding that significant work remains ahead.
Vance said the Trump administration would continue advancing policies aligned with the pro-life movement and pledged continued engagement with activists.
Republicans have also pressed the administration to review the safety of mifepristone, the first drug used in medication abortions, and to reverse policies allowing abortion pills to be distributed by mail.
During his speech, Vance outlined actions the Trump administration says it has taken to reverse abortion-related policies implemented under the Biden administration.
Vance said the administration ended prosecutions of pro-life activists who were charged for actions such as praying outside abortion clinics.
