Conservative businessman Vivek Ramaswamy has caught up to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a first national poll, a surprising tie as both are preparing to join in 2024’s first primary debate next month.
In the survey of likely Republican primary voters, Ramaswamy and DeSantis are tied at 12%, with former President Donald Trump continuing to dominate at 48%.
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While still a long shot, the Kaplan Strategies survey is the first to have Ramaswamy in double digits. It is also one of the poorest showings yet of DeSantis, who some surveys had leading Trump at the beginning of the year.
“Ramaswamy outperformed six other hopefuls by more than double, marking a significant surprise in this poll,” said pollster Doug Kaplan. He tested nine candidates, DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, South Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
The survey of 800 likely GOP primary voters took place this week and had a margin of error of 3.5%. Kaplan shared the details today with Secrets.
While it is early in the election at a time when polls of early primary and caucus states hold more weight, Kaplan’s finding that Ramaswamy is surging while DeSantis is sinking is still significant and in line with what others have shown.
Ramaswamy has stayed in the news, recently rejecting talk that he would serve in a Trump Cabinet.
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The biotech entrepreneur, 37, has a cult following, but his support is growing. He has also been less critical of Trump than others in the race.
In addition to the horse race, Kaplan also tested the approval ratings of the candidates and said Ramaswamy came in third, tied with Pence, at 56%. Trump was first at 69% approval, followed by DeSantis at 59%.
