The 2028 Republican presidential primary will determine the GOP nominee for the November 2028 presidential election. Republican contenders will compete in state caucuses and primaries to win delegates to the Republican National Convention.
The party has retained its traditional early-state order, beginning with Iowa, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. Exact dates for those opening contests remain subject to official scheduling decisions. Follow the latest Republican candidates, national polling averages and primary calendar below.
Latest 2028 Republican Primary Polls
Early national surveys offer a look at potential support among Republican voters, although many candidates included in polls have not formally entered the race. Election Central calculates independent averages using individual surveys from distinct polling organizations.
Independent 60-day average · 7 distinct pollsters
- 1. JD Vance 37.3%
- 2. Marco Rubio 23.9%
- 3. Donald Trump Jr. 11.8%
Vance leads by 13.4 points.
Equal weight per pollster; each contributes its latest eligible survey. Polling does not establish candidacy.
2028 Republican Presidential Candidates
The potential Republican field includes current and former elected officials and other political figures being discussed as possible nominees. The directory below tracks published candidate profiles and distinguishes announced candidates from those exploring or merely considered potential contenders.
Candidate inclusion and display order are editorial, not a polling ranking or confirmation of candidacy.
Appearing in a presidential poll does not mean someone has declared a campaign. Candidate statuses are updated as public announcements and decisions become available.
2028 Republican Primary Schedule
Republican early-state order; dates remain subject to official scheduling.
Early-state order; dates subject to scheduling
- Iowa — Jan 3, 2028(Expected)
- New Hampshire — Jan 11, 2028(Expected)
- Nevada — Date TBD
- South Carolina — Date TBD
Super Tuesday: Tuesday, March 7, 2028 (Projected). The final state lineup may change.
Republicans approved the early-state sequence in September 2026. Iowa will retain its first-in-the-nation position, followed by New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. The actual dates and contest arrangements must still be finalized.
After the opening states, Republican presidential primaries and caucuses will continue across the country through the spring. Explore the complete 2028 presidential primary schedule for projected dates, state-by-state contests and participation rules.
How the Republican Nomination Process Works
Republican presidential candidates compete for delegates who help select the party’s nominee at the Republican National Convention. Most delegates are awarded through state primaries, caucuses or other party-approved selection procedures.
Primaries vs. Caucuses
A presidential primary generally allows eligible voters to cast ballots for their preferred candidate. A caucus is organized by a political party and may involve in-person meetings, ballots or other delegate-selection procedures.
Iowa traditionally begins the Republican nomination season with caucuses, while New Hampshire holds a presidential primary. Participation requirements and voting methods differ among states and political parties.
How Republican Delegates Are Awarded
Republican delegate allocation varies by state. Depending on applicable party rules, delegates may be awarded proportionally, through winner-take-all arrangements or through methods involving thresholds and congressional-district results.
Winning the nomination requires securing enough delegates to become the party’s nominee under the convention rules. Verified 2028 delegate counts and allocation procedures will be added to our primary calendar as they are finalized.
2028 Republican Primary FAQ
Who is leading the 2028 Republican presidential primary polls?
The polling snapshot above displays the three leading candidates in Election Central’s current independent 60-day Republican primary average. Rankings may change as new surveys are published. View the full Republican polling data and trends.
When is the first 2028 Republican primary or caucus?
Iowa is scheduled to lead the Republican nomination calendar, but the exact 2028 caucus date has not been officially finalized. New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina follow in the approved early-state order.
Who is running for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination?
Potential candidates are being discussed and included in early polling, but a polling appearance is not an official campaign announcement. Our 2028 presidential candidates directory distinguishes announced, exploring and potential candidates.
When is Super Tuesday in 2028?
Super Tuesday is projected for March 7, 2028, when numerous states are expected to hold presidential nominating contests. The final Republican contest lineup remains subject to state and party scheduling decisions.
How many delegates does a Republican candidate need to win?
The number needed to secure the Republican nomination depends on the final convention delegate total and applicable party rules. Verified 2028 delegate allocations and the nomination threshold will be added as official information becomes available.
Election Central updates candidate information, polling averages and primary calendar details as new data and official announcements become available. Projected dates are not official election announcements.