In a recent poll conducted by The Washington Post-Monmouth University, it was revealed that South Carolina Republican voters overwhelmingly favor former President Donald Trump as their preferred candidate for the 2024 presidential nomination. Trump received 46 percent of the vote, while South Carolina’s former Governor Nikki Haley came in second with 18 percent, followed by South Carolina Senator Tim Scott at 10 percent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been seen as a rising star in the Republican Party, came in fourth with just 9 percent of the support.[0]
The poll, which was conducted from September 6-11, surveyed 506 potential Republican primary voters in South Carolina.[1] It revealed that Trump’s support in the state remains strong, with 46 percent of respondents indicating their preference for him. This is a significant lead over Haley, who received only 18 percent of the vote. Scott and DeSantis also struggled to gain popularity, with just 10 percent and 9 percent of the support, respectively.
These results reflect a wider trend among Republican voters, as other recent polls have also shown Trump in the lead for the 2024 presidential nomination. A Quinnipiac University poll released on the same day as the Post-Monmouth poll found that 62 percent of Republican-aligned voters support Trump, compared to just 12 percent for DeSantis.[2]
Despite Trump’s strong support among Republican voters, there are some divisions within the party. The poll found that nearly 9 in 10 Trump supporters believe that Joe Biden only won the 2020 election due to voter fraud, while about 6 in 10 supporters of other Republican candidates believe that Biden won the election “fair and square.”[3] These findings highlight the ongoing controversy surrounding the 2020 election and the persistence of false claims of widespread voter fraud.
In terms of electability, a majority of Republican voters believe that Trump is the strongest candidate to beat Biden in the 2024 election. According to the Post-Monmouth poll, 54 percent of respondents said that Trump is definitely or probably the strongest candidate to defeat Biden, while 42 percent think another candidate would be stronger. This suggests that many Republican voters prioritize a candidate’s ability to win over their alignment on major issues.
The results of the poll also shed light on the current standings of other potential Republican candidates.[4] Nikki Haley, who has been seen as a potential contender for the nomination, received 18 percent of the vote in South Carolina, which is her highest level of support since the start of her campaign.[5] However, she still falls far behind Trump in terms of popularity. DeSantis, who has been generating buzz as a potential frontrunner, dropped to fourth place in the South Carolina poll, indicating that he may face challenges in gaining widespread support among Republican voters.[6]
Overall, the Post-Monmouth poll highlights the continued dominance of Donald Trump in the Republican Party and the challenges that other potential candidates face in gaining traction. Trump’s strong support in South Carolina, a key early primary state, bodes well for his chances of securing the party’s nomination in 2024. However, the poll also reveals some divisions within the party, particularly regarding beliefs about the 2020 election and priorities for the upcoming race. As the primary season approaches, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics play out and whether any candidates are able to challenge Trump’s frontrunner status.
0. “Trump dominates Republican field in South Carolina, poll finds” POLITICO, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/14/trump-gop-south-carolina-poll-00115865
1. “Trump Holds Big Lead over GOP Field in South Carolina, Haley Second: Poll” The Messenger, 14 Sep. 2023, https://themessenger.com/politics/trump-holds-big-lead-over-gop-field-in-south-carolina-haley-second-poll
2. “Trump support ticks up in GOP primary poll” The Hill, 13 Sep. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4202638-trump-support-ticks-up-in-gop-primary-poll/
3. “Trump has large lead over Haley, other Republicans in South Carolina, poll finds” The Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2023/09/14/poll-south-carolina-trump-haley/
4. “Haley trails Trump by 28 points in her home state” The American Bazaar, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2023/09/14/haley-trails-trump-by-28-points-in-her-home-state-454967/
5. “Trump Slips 3 Points In Latest GOP 2024 Poll, Still Leads By 43, Yet A Rival Gains Traction – Fox (NASDAQ” Benzinga, 12 Sep. 2023, https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/23/09/34503715/trump-slips-3-points-in-latest-gop-2024-poll-still-leads-by-43-yet-a-rival-gains-traction
6. “Ron DeSantis drops to fourth place in new South Carolina poll: Florida Governor falls behind Nikki Haley and T” Daily Mail, 14 Sep. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12518193/Ron-DeSantis-fourth-place-South-Carolina-poll-evangelical-vote.html
