Voters are showing an eagerness to junk old slates of presidential candidates and entertain a new cast of hopefuls, opening the door to fresh faces eyeing the 2024 race, including Govs. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Missing in new polling is a desire for past nominees, such as 2016 Democratic pick Hillary Clinton or 2012 GOP candidate Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT).
The latest Rasmussen Reports survey, out today, shows that even those who almost won their party’s nomination are getting the cold shoulder, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Rasmussen asked if Clinton, Romney, Cruz, or Sanders should run again. The results:
- Clinton: 69% “No,” 20% “Yes.” Some 53% of Democrats and 59% of liberals said “No.”
- Romney: 66% “No,” 19% “Yes.” Some 71% of Republicans said “No.”
- Sanders: 67% “No,” 21% “Yes,” with 59% of Democrats rejecting another run.
- Cruz: 63% “No,” 20% “Yes,” with 48% of Republicans rejecting another run.
The new survey comes on the heels of others showing that many voters would also like for President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to exit the national stage. Rasmussen, for example, said that just 29% want Biden to run for reelection and 37% want another chance to vote for Trump.
The surveys, while just an early indication of the wishes of 2024 voters, are a signal that voters are ready for a new cast of candidates.
On the Republican side, several potential candidates are readying campaigns, especially if Trump decides not to run. Many of his allies do expect him to run.
That list includes Florida’s DeSantis, Virginia’s Youngkin, several other GOP governors, and some ex-Trump aides, such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and former Vice President Mike Pence.
On the Democratic side, there appears to be some support for Ocasio-Cortez and several popular Democratic governors.
