A new poll from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) has found Florida Governor Ron DeSantis leading the Republican field of presidential candidates for the 2024 election. DeSantis leads former President Donald Trump by 8 percent, 37%-29%, in a survey of 1,755 California Republicans conducted between February 14 and February 20. The poll also included other potential contenders, such as ex-VP Mike Pence, ex-Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, and ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, though none of them obtained more than 4% of the votes.[0]
The poll also found that 50% of California voters are not enthusiastic about either President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris running for re-election next year.[1] Sixteen percent stated that they would be very excited regarding a run, while twenty-one percent expressed that they would be somewhat enthusiastic.[2] In this scenario, 59% of people stated that they would not be excited about a potential Harris presidential candidacy in 2024.[2]
DeSantis has an average lead of 12.4 percentage points over Biden among independent voters, ranging from 4 to 21 percent. In a Public Policy Polling survey conducted earlier this month, DeSantis had a smaller advantage over Biden, 46 percent to 42 percent. But in a Yahoo/YouGov poll from early February, DeSantis had his biggest lead over the sitting president, 51 percent to 30 percent.
The same poll found that 57% of California voters oppose Biden seeking another term, while 37% say they favor Biden running again.[3]
DeSantis spoke about his upcoming plans for the legislative session, which is scheduled to kick off on March 8th. “Well, I’ve got two big things coming up. One, I have a book coming out on Feb. 28 and you can see it at DeSantisBook.com. It’s called ‘The Courage to be Free.’ It talks about Florida’s blueprint for American revival. So we’re going to go on a tour on that. We’re going to sell some books, we’re going to spread the message of Florida. And then on March 8, I have our Legislative Session that’s kicking off,” DeSantis said.[4]
A Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll also found that Trump remains a top pick among Republican voters to clinch the 2024 presidential nomination.[5]
0. “DeSantis now beating Trump in California GOP primary, poll says” SFGATE, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/ron-desantis-beating-trump-in-california-17803788.php
1. “No support for Christie among California Republicans, new poll says” New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics, 24 Feb. 2023, https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/no-support-for-christie-among-california-republicans-new-poll-says/
2. “DeSantis Leads Trump In Early CA 2024 Presidential Election Poll” California Globe, 24 Feb. 2023, https://californiaglobe.com/articles/desantis-leads-trump-in-early-ca-2024-presidential-election-poll/
3. “Poll: DeSantis Tops Trump by 8 Points Among Calif. Republicans” Newsmax, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/desantis-trump-biden/2023/02/24/id/1110036/
4. “Ron DeSantis teases timeline of expected presidential run” Florida Politics, 20 Feb. 2023, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/589459-ron-desantis-teases-timeline-for-presidential-run
5. “Trump Top Pick Among GOP for 2024, Holds Wide Lead Over DeSantis: Poll” Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-top-pick-among-gop-2024-holds-wide-lead-over-desantis-poll-1782275
