Trump Will Easily Win GOP Presidential Nomination, DeSantis A Far Second: Poll

Former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the field of potential Republican presidential candidates for the 2024 election, with Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., being a close second, a new poll found.

In the new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, Trump held a clear lead among seven other hypothetical GOP presidential primaries with 57% support among Republican voters. Second only to him was DeSantis, who garnered the support of 12% of GOP voters. Following both Trump and DeSantis was former Vice President Mike Pence with 11% of the votes.

None of the other five hypothetical Republican presidential primaries garnered double-digit support from the survey participants, according to The Hill, which obtained a copy of the poll’s results.

The survey also asked participants who they plan to vote if Trump decides to forgo the 2024 election. DeSantis secured an edge in other primaries with 30% support, with Pence taking second place at 24%. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, placed third with 14% support.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll surveyed 1,185 registered voters between Jan. 19 and 20. The poll was done in collaboration with the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University and the Harris Poll.

The poll’s results reflect previous surveys on potential Republican candidates in the 2024 presidential nomination.

In early January, a Reuters/Ipsos national poll asked over 4,000 Republicans aged 18 and older who they would vote for the 2024 election. Trump still won with a clear edge, garnering the support of 54% or 2,379 Republican voters. Gov. DeSantis, who placed second, only won the support of 11% or 484 GOP voters.

In November 2021, a survey conducted by Republican pollster and strategist Tony Fabrizio found Trump leading President Joe Biden in five battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

No Republican has yet spoken definitively about their plans for the 2024 election. Trump has also refused to make an official announcement but has repeatedly teased plans to mount another bid for the presidential seat, adding that his fans would be “very happy” with his decision.

Trump is likely to announce his plans for 2024 after the 2022 midterm elections on Nov. 8.