Staff Reports
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the competition between former President Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is intensifying as they vie for the top spot. A recent Quinnipiac University poll indicates that Trump is currently the leading candidate, with a 14-point advantage over DeSantis. The survey showed that 46% of Republicans prefer Trump as the GOP nominee, while only 32% support DeSantis. In February, Trump had already surpassed the governor in the polls, garnering 42% support compared to DeSantis' 36%.
#DonaldTrump has slight lead over #RonDeSantis in GOP primary; Americans mixed on reasons behind classified document discoveries https://t.co/lxo9eVSocK #2024Election
— Quinnipiac University Poll (@QuinnipiacPoll) February 16, 2023
Despite speculation among conservative groups that DeSantis could potentially pose a challenge to Trump, the latest survey indicates that the former president's support remains unwavering and, in fact, has increased in the Republican primary. Conversely, no other Republican candidate is able to surpass DeSantis or Trump's popularity among Republican voters.
Here's Who's Currently Leading in a Trump vs. DeSantis Primary https://t.co/MrY7g3Myld
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 17, 2023
According to the Quinnipiac survey, both Trump and DeSantis have slightly lower support among voters compared to President Joe Biden. DeSantis would receive 46% of the vote in a hypothetical matchup against Biden's 47%, while Trump would trail behind with 45% compared to Biden's 49%.
Although the polls indicate that Biden is viewed more favorably by voters than DeSantis, 54% of respondents still have an unfavorable view of the President, while only 36% have reservations about DeSantis' potential as a candidate in Washington D.C. Furthermore, a Reuters poll shows that Biden's approval rating is low among both parties, with 52% of Americans disapproving of his job as president.
DeSantis has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years, especially among conservatives who have been enthusiastic about him. Some ardent Trump supporters are even contemplating voting for DeSantis instead of the former president. Reports suggest that DeSantis may announce his candidacy for the presidency in the late spring or early summer, setting the stage for a highly scrutinized election, as Trump continues to publicly criticize him.
In conclusion, the polls reveal that Trump remains the GOP leader of choice, with DeSantis trailing him by a growing margin. The governor’s rising profile among conservatives suggests that he might be seen as a strong candidate to challenge Trump, but it remains unclear whether DeSantis can make the leap to become the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, Biden’s approval rating is low, making him a vulnerable candidate come election time.
