Staff Reports
The Western Journal’s latest WJ Straw Poll for the week of Sept. 14–20 shows Secretary of State Marco Rubio widening his lead in the 2028 GOP conversation while Rep. Thomas Massie posted the week’s biggest jump. The reader-driven, non‑scientific survey put Rubio at 39.1 percent, Vice President J.D. Vance at 23.7 percent and Massie at 18.8 percent — numbers worth watching, even if they come with the usual straw‑poll caveats.
Rubio Pulls Ahead — What That Means
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s rise in the Western Journal reader poll won’t make every political forecaster change their projections overnight, but it does send a clear message to conservatives: Rubio’s brand and message are resonating with a motivated slice of the base. A near 40 percent showing in a partisan reader poll suggests organizational strength among engaged voters and loyalty that won’t evaporate if the field heats up. That said, this is The Western Journal’s audience — enthusiastic, tuned in and not a probability sample — so interpret the lead as momentum among readers, not a guaranteed nationwide trend.
Massie’s Surge: Signal or Noise?
How to Read the Jump
Rep. Thomas Massie’s five‑point week‑to‑week gain is the attention‑grabber here. Whether that spike is a real surge of grassroots support or a momentary enthusiasm burst among readers is the key question. Massie appeals to the liberty wing and to voters tired of orthodox talking points, and a reader poll is exactly the kind of place those voters make themselves known. One thing to note: a claim that Massie “lost his primary earlier this year” appears in some write‑ups and should be confirmed before being repeated; official records or the campaign should clarify that point.
Trump, DeSantis and the Rest: A Footnote or a Faction?
President Donald J. Trump still draws support in the poll at 7.4 percent, even though two‑term limits make him ineligible for 2028. Governor Ron DeSantis clocks in at 6.2 percent and the “Other” category sits at 4.9 percent. In plain terms, the field for many Western Journal readers looks tilted toward Rubio and Vance, with insurgent interest for Massie — while the perennial names remain present but not dominant. If you want a reality check, compare these reader results to national, probability‑sample polls; you’ll often find the same voters light up certain friendly outlets while broader samples tell a different story.
Bottom Line and What to Watch
The WJ Straw Poll is a useful thermometer for reader sentiment: it shows who’s energizing a loyal audience and who needs to sharpen their message. Conservatives should care about these results because momentum matters, but campaigns and readers should also demand transparency — how many votes were cast, how duplicates were blocked, and who makes up the sample. Watch whether Rubio keeps climbing, whether Massie can sustain his jump, and whether Vance steadies his footing. Polls like this are one piece of the puzzle; take the picture seriously, but don’t mistake it for the entire map.
