Former President Donald Trump remains the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential primary, with a slight lead over his top potential challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll.[0] The survey of 1,795 adults, taken from March 9-13, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.[1]
In a hypothetical general election matchup for president, DeSantis and Trump both fell to President Joe Biden, who received 47% support from all registered voters compared to 46% who said they would vote for DeSantis and 45% who said they would vote for Trump.
Following the 2022 midterm elections, Trump officially declared his candidacy for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. DeSantis has yet to declare his own candidacy, though he is viewed as the strongest potential opponent to Trump.[2]
In a two-man matchup, the former president continues to lead DeSantis, but only by 11 percentage points.[3] Trump was the preferred choice for 51% of voters, while 40% expressed their preference for DeSantis. Trump has the backing of 46% of Republican and Republican-leaning voters, compared to 32% who are in favor of DeSantis.
The CNN survey, conducted from March 8 to 12 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points, showed Trump with 40 percent support and DeSantis close behind at 36 percent support.[4]
Trump, who first rose to fame in the 2016 GOP primary, has unleashed an increasing amount of attacks on DeSantis in recent weeks.[5] On Monday, the Make America Great Again PAC filed a complaint with a Florida ethics authority accusing the governor of running a “shadow” campaign for the nomination and called for an investigation.[6]
On Monday, the ex-president blamed Vice President Pence for the riots of January 6th, claiming he should have rejected the election results.[7]
Trump responded to Pence’s remarks, asserting that the ex-vice president should be held accountable for the assault on the Capitol on January 6th, 2021, due to his decision to certify the election results.[8]
Fox News host praised Trump for avoiding “lunch with white supremacists” since November.[9]
Despite DeSantis’s growing national profile and buzz in the GOP conversation, the new poll shows no erosion in Trump’s support among Republican voters.[10] Polling analyst Tim Malloy noted that Trump is enjoying a bump in his lead in the primary.[10]
0. “Quinnipiac University poll finds Trump leads against DeSantis amongst GOP” WPEC, 16 Mar. 2023, https://cbs12.com/news/local/quinnipiac-university-poll-finds-trump-leads-amongst-gop-march-15-2023
1. “2024 poll: Trump and DeSantis neck and neck among Republican voters for GOP nomination, economy top issue” Fox News, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2024-poll-trump-desantis-neck-neck-among-republican-voters-gop-nomination-economy-top-issue
2. “Trump Vs. DeSantis: One Might Be The Buzz While The Other Is Clearly Running Away With The Lead” Benzinga, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/03/31409207/trump-vs-desantis-one-might-be-the-buzz-while-the-other-is-clearly-running-away-with-the-lead
3. “Trump widens lead over DeSantis in 2024 GOP presidential race: poll” USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/16/donald-trump-leads-ron-desantis-2024-gop-president-poll/11482755002
4. “Ron DeSantis slides in 2024 Texas Primary poll” Florida Politics, 16 Mar. 2023, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/595946-ron-desantis-slides-in-2024-texas-primary-poll
5. “Trump leads DeSantis but loses to Biden in new poll” WWJ, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/national/trump-leads-desantis-but-loses-to-biden-in-new-poll
6. “New poll places Trump firmly ahead of DeSantis” The Independent, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-poll-desantis-gop-primary-b2302329.html
7. “Nastiest primary yet? Trump raises question with DeSantis attack” WGN Radio – Chicago, 14 Mar. 2023, https://wgnradio.com/news/nastiest-primary-yet-trump-raises-question-with-desantis-attack/
8. “Trump says DeSantis “probably” his biggest challenger as he makes first Iowa trip” Q2 News, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.ktvq.com/news/national-politics/trump-says-desantis-probably-his-biggest-challenger-as-he-makes-first-iowa-trip
9. “Trump and DeSantis Neck and Neck in Biden Matchup: Poll” Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/trump-desantis-neck-neck-biden-matchup-poll-1787827
10. “Trump Extends Lead Over DeSantis in Hypothetical 2024 GOP Pr…” MENAFN.COM, 16 Mar. 2023, https://menafn.com/1105794184/Trump-Extends-Lead-Over-DeSantis-in-Hypothetical-2024-GOP-Primary-New-Poll-Shows
