Former President Donald Trump can’t be beat in a GOP primary. That’s clear in new polling.
But if the 45th president decides to skip 2024, the race between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence could heat up.
In the latest Zogby Poll provided exclusively to Secrets, Trump leads the rest of the GOP field by a country mile. He clocks in with 53.9% of the GOP vote, followed by DeSantis at 11.5% and Pence, Trump’s former No. 2, at 9.7%.
“Even though former President Donald Trump has yet to officially announce his 2024 presidential candidacy, he still dominates the GOP as a kingmaker and the most recognizable name in Republican politics,” said Jonathan Zogby in his analysis.
He found that Trump dominates every single voting demographic, making it difficult for any challenger, though DeSantis and Pence are making a stab at it, along with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
“Donald Trump continues his hold on the Republican Party. If he decides to run, he will be the nominee. He is the ‘Teflon Don,’” said Zogby.
Without Trump in the contest, said Zogby, 2024 becomes a horse race.
He wrote, “Here’s where things get interesting! With Trump out of the race, it becomes a dog fight between the two conservatives — former Vice President Mike Pence (23%) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (27%). Senator Ted Cruz is the only other candidate to receive double digit support with 12%.”
In a first, Zogby showed 3.6% for new Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, already being talked about as a likely vice presidential candidate.
Zogby senses Pence is on the rise in a Trump-less race.
“If Trump were to move aside, Mike Pence has the experience, momentum, and name recognition to win the Republican nomination. He must get past Ron DeSantis, but it is possible DeSantis has peaked already, while Pence is just getting started,” said the independent pollster.
