As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has emerged as a top contender for the Republican nomination. While DeSantis has not formally announced his candidacy, he has been laying the groundwork for a campaign, traveling to critical early voting states like Iowa and Nevada and meeting with GOP donors. Recent polls have shown that DeSantis is viewed as more electable than former President Donald Trump among Republican voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.[0] However, a February Yahoo News/YouGov poll showed Trump ahead of DeSantis in a head-to-head matchup, with 47% support compared to the governor’s 39%.[1]
DeSantis has yet to confirm a White House run, but reports indicate that he is set to announce a presidential bid in May or June after the Florida state legislature wraps up its annual session. In anticipation of his announcement, DeSantis has been promoting his new book and putting together a campaign staff.
While DeSantis has been on the rise, Trump’s recent polling gains have rattled some of the Florida governor’s close allies, who now believe that he will have to campaign harder to win the GOP nomination.[2] Some of DeSantis’s critics have even come up with a nickname for him, “JebSantis,” linking him to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who was regularly ridiculed by Trump during the 2016 campaign.[2]
In addition to Trump and DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley are also considered potential contenders for the Republican nomination. However, recent polls have shown that Trump remains the top pick among Republican voters, with 57% believing that he will win the party’s nomination in 2024.[3]
On the Democratic side, President Joe Biden has yet to officially announce his re-election campaign, but has said that he intends to run again in 2024.[4] However, a recent poll showed that only 44% of Democratic primary voters want Biden to be the nominee, while 52% would like to see someone else.[5]
As the race for the 2024 presidential election heats up, it remains to be seen who will come out on top in the Republican and Democratic primaries. While DeSantis has emerged as a top contender for the Republican nomination, he will face stiff competition from Trump and other potential candidates. On the Democratic side, Biden will have to contend with challengers who are vying for the party’s nomination. The next few months will be crucial in determining who will ultimately emerge as the presidential nominees for both parties.
0. “DeSantis shows early state strength in Iowa and New Hampshire polls” Axios, 26 Mar. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/03/26/desantis-iowa-new-hampshire-polls
1. “Trump Mocked for Touting ‘Catturd’ Poll Showing Him Beating Ron DeSantis” Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-mocked-touting-catturd-poll-showing-him-beating-ron-desantis-1790314
2. “Resurgent Donald Trump has rattled close aides of Ron DeSantis who think he faces tougher challenge” Daily Mail, 26 Mar. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11903349/Resurgent-Donald-Trump-rattled-close-aides-Ron-DeSantis-think-faces-tougher-challenge.html
3. “Trump solidifies support in GOP primary: poll” CIProud.com, 27 Mar. 2023, https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/hill-politics/trump-solidifies-support-in-gop-primary-poll/
4. “Trump, under legal threat, tries to short-circuit DeSantis momentum” The Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2023/03/25/trump-desantis-2024-rally/
5. “Fox News Poll: Trump’s lead grows in GOP primary race, now over 50% support” Fox News, 29 Mar. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/official-polls/fox-news-poll-trumps-lead-grows-in-gop-primary-race-now-over-50-support
