CNN Data Chief Says 1 Republican Has ‘Good’ Odds To Be 2028 Nominee

CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten on Thursday spotted how Vice President JD Vance is the overwhelming favorite to become the 2028 GOP presidential nominee.

“It looks pretty gosh darn good — or pretty, pretty good — for the man from Ohio,” said Enten in a segment with CNN’s Kate Bolduan.

Once a self-described “Never Trump guy,” those in Trump’s circle have been impressed by Vance’s “behind-the-scenes efforts to speed the president’s priorities” and foresee the 2028 nomination as his for the taking, per CNN.

Enten turned to early 2028 polling (excluding the current president) that shows Vance on top with 40% support, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump Jr. trail behind him at 8% and 7%, respectively.

Since 1980, 63% of early favorites who ran in incumbent-less presidential elections have won the nomination, Enten noted.

He added that the last five sitting veeps to run for president — Richard Nixon (1960 election), Hubert Humphrey (1968 election), George H.W. Bush (1988 election), Al Gore (2000 election) and Kamala Harris (2024 election) — all became their party’s nominee.

“Historically speaking, if JD Vance gets in this fight and he’s the sitting vice president, the history books say, ‘Hey, he’s got a pretty gosh darn chance of going all the way,’ at least to the general election, because five out of five,” he said.

If Trump decides to get behind his veep, it could work in Vance’s favor, Enten argued.

At least 95% of Trump’s endorsees in congressional and gubernatorial races since 2020 have resulted in that candidate winning the GOP primary, per Enten.

“At this point, things all seem to be coming up for JD,” he said.