A new poll from the University of North Florida finds that Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a massive 31-point lead over Donald Trump among Republican primary voters—more than doubling the former president’s support in a head-to-head matchup.
Among 550 primary voters polled, DeSantis led the Republican pack with 52 percent support. Trump trailed at 27 percent support, and other choices, including Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, and Liz Cheney, pulled less than 5 percent. In a direct matchup between DeSantis and Trump, the Florida governor won in a blowout, 59 vs. 28 percent.
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According to UNF’s research, DeSantis received the most support among Republican voters of all demographics.
“It’s not too surprising to see DeSantis take the lead among Republicans in his home state of Florida,” said Dr. Michael Binder, the faculty director of UNF’s Public Opinion Research Lab. “But it is interesting to see how his lead jumps up from 25 to 31 points ahead, once you winnow the field from 10 to two. DeSantis is much better compared to Trump at consolidating votes if the field were to narrow.”
Republican Florida voters were also surveyed about their choices in a general election matchup against President Joe Biden. DeSantis performed marginally better than Donald Trump, outperforming the 45th president by 3 points among Republicans and 1 point among independents.
Trump previously won the state’s 2016 presidential primary, receiving 45 percent of the vote. The runner-up, Florida senator Marco Rubio, received 27 percent. The 2024 cycle will be the first time Trump has fought a contested primary as a Florida resident after officially moving to the Sunshine State in 2019.
While Ron DeSantis has not yet committed to a presidential run, that does not appear to have stopped him from campaigning. In February, the governor visited New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois on a police union-speaking tour supporting the nation’s law enforcement. Over the weekend, he visited the Reagan Library in California to promote his new book, The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival.
While DeSantis has offered little comment on his 2024 prospects, former president Donald Trump has had much to say recently about the Florida governor, whom he calls “Ron DeSanctimonious.”
“I always say hit your enemy a little early,” Trump told his supporters at a West Palm Beach event in February. “Some people say don’t. But I say do.”
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Trump ally Kari Lake also shared her thoughts on a potential DeSantis bid this week, telling Newsmax that while she appreciates what the governor has done for Florida, he should wait until 2028 for a campaign. “This is President Trump’s turn,” she said. “We haven’t seen Ron DeSantis on the world stage yet.” A recent Axios report named Lake as a top choice being considered by Trump for his VP pick.
“I spend my time delivering results for the people of Florida and fighting against Joe Biden — That’s how I spend my time,” DeSantis said in February, brushing off the attacks from Donald Trump. “I don’t spend my time trying to smear other Republicans.”
DeSantis expected to visit Iowa, Nevada, and New Hampshire in the coming weeks to promote his new book.
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