Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) initial presidential campaign tour through the states hosting the first two 2024 GOP contests drew tons of media and lots of voter gazing but did not provide the pop he hoped for.
Two new polls out this week show that former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the race despite the attention on DeSantis and the criminal indictment of the 45th president by his successor’s Justice Department.
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The surprising results have buoyed Trump and depressed supporters of DeSantis who had hoped he would revive the lead he once held in those two states several months ago.
The New Hampshire Journal-Coefficient poll, taken after Trump’s indictment, gave the former president a commanding 49%-23% lead over DeSantis in a head-to-head contest.
NEW HAMPSHIRE 2024: Trump holds 34-point lead for Republican Nomination
Trump — 47% (+34)
DeSantis — 13%
Christie — 9%
Pence — 5%
Haley — 3%
Ramaswamy — 3%
Scott — 3%
Undecided — 10%⦿ @NewHampJournal / @coefficientpoll
⦿ June 14-16 | 900 LV | ±2.2%https://t.co/7iyjjzplbY pic.twitter.com/K4XQ0NaHXD— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) June 16, 2023
In a more inclusive survey of the top seven Republican candidates, Trump’s lead grew to 47%-13%, showing that his hold is firm. No other GOP challenger is out of single digits.
New Hampshire Journal Managing Editor Michael Graham told Secrets, “On paper, DeSantis is doing fine in New Hampshire — had a big turnout for a NHGOP fundraising dinner, he has about 50 endorsements from elected Republicans. But in our poll, and in the field talking to voters, the entire conversation is about Donald Trump.”
What’s more, he added, “DeSantis is no Ronald Reagan or Barack Obama. Even his fans admit he’s not running a spectacular campaign. But even if he were, nobody in New Hampshire would notice because all the spotlights are on Donald Trump, and everyone else is dancing in the dark.”
In Iowa, a McLaughlin & Associates survey also taken after the Justice Department’s classified documents indictment was revealed found Trump up over DeSantis 60%-33% in a head-to-head contest. When the rest of the field was added to the question, Trump’s lead was 51% to 19% for DeSantis.
At the end of April, Trump led DeSantis 57%-35% in a head-to-head election, showing that the governor lost support since visiting the state earlier this month.
In his analysis, John McLaughlin, who has polled for Trump, said, “While Donald Trump is cementing his candidacy as the Republican presidential nominee, Ron DeSantis’s chances are fading away. Iowa Republican caucus voters are well aware that Joe Biden’s Justice Department indicted Donald Trump. They believe Biden is behind the indictment and that Donald Trump can overcome the unjust efforts and win the election.”
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He also tested the reaction in Iowa to Biden’s indictment of Trump and found a huge majority believe it was politically motivated and will help Trump in the GOP caucuses and general election.
“It is clear Iowa Republican caucus voters believe Joe Biden has weaponized the Department of Justice and FBI in attempts to derail Donald Trump’s candidacy. It is just as clear; they believe Donald Trump is too strong to be stopped and that he can overcome the unjust efforts and win the election,” McLaughlin said.
