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DeSantis Leverages Internal Polls Amidst 2024 Campaign

A poll last week that gave Ron DeSantis a bump had been commissioned by a nonprofit that had hired the Florida governor’s own polling firm. | Francis Chung/POLITICO

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a leading contender for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, has been actively using internal polling to his advantage. These polls have been instrumental in shaping the campaign narrative, particularly in battleground states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

However, DeSantis’ approach to releasing internal data has raised eyebrows due to the aggressive nature of its deployment. Critics argue that the DeSantis camp is using these polls to create a more favorable image in the media and attract donors.

One notable instance was a poll commissioned by the nonprofit group Citizen Awareness Project, which is not allowed to explicitly promote a candidate but hired DeSantis’ polling firm. This poll showed DeSantis gaining 7 points following a primary debate. Around the same time, a pollster working for the super PAC supporting former President Donald Trump claimed DeSantis had “flatlined” in Iowa and New Hampshire.

DeSantis’ team is not alone in this strategy. Other candidates and groups are also sharing internal polls, attempting to fill the void created by the decline in public surveys, which are increasingly less common this far from Election Day.

Releasing internal polling data serves to correct the predominance of national polls, while the Republican primaries are conducted on a state-by-state basis, with Iowa and New Hampshire leading the way.

Nevertheless, it’s crucial to approach internal polls with caution. These polls are often used to shape a specific narrative or attract donors rather than for their accuracy. The reader should consider the motivations behind these polls when interpreting their results.

In the ever-competitive race for the 2024 Republican nomination, internal polling has become a valuable tool for candidates and their supporters to shape perceptions and fundraising efforts.

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