In a Wall Street Journal poll conducted at the end of August, former President Donald Trump emerged as the dominant figure in the GOP primary, securing the support of 59 percent of surveyed Republican primary voters. The poll, conducted through telephone and web surveys, indicates Trump’s substantial lead over other potential contenders.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a notable figure in the Republican Party, currently trails Trump by a considerable 46 points. This marks a significant shift from April, where DeSantis was down by 13 points to Trump. It showcases the challenges DeSantis faces in appealing to Trump’s voter base and mirrors his recent drop in polling numbers elsewhere.
DeSantis’ favorability rating has also decreased since the April survey, with the percentage of respondents reporting a favorable view of him dropping from 84 percent to 70 percent. Trump’s favorability dipped slightly from 78 percent to 75 percent during the same period.
If the 2024 presidential election were held today with Trump facing off against President Joe Biden, the poll indicates a tie at 46 percent each, with 8 percent of respondents undecided. The larger survey pool of 1,500 registered voters was considered for this question. When third-party candidates are added to the mix, Trump leads Biden 40 percent to 39 percent, with third-party candidates receiving single-digit support and 17 percent undecided.
Beyond the top two candidates in the GOP primary race, the poll shows 8 percent of respondents supporting former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, 5 percent favoring biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, 3 percent choosing former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and 2 percent selecting former Vice President Mike Pence. Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina also garnered 2 percent. It’s worth noting that Haley, Ramaswamy, and Christie all saw slight increases in their share of supporters since the April survey, though these increases were within single-digit percentages.
The poll delved into perceptions of the four indictments against Trump, ranging from his efforts to overturn the election to improperly storing classified documents. A significant majority of respondents believed these charges were politically motivated. Over 60 percent of respondents considered each case meritless and politically motivated.
As the 2024 election landscape continues to evolve, this poll provides insight into the current preferences and perceptions of Republican primary voters, with Trump holding a substantial lead over other potential contenders.
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