Former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) are the two leaders in polls for potential 2024 GOP primary votes. According to a new USA Today-Suffolk University Poll, 48 percent of Florida voters would support DeSantis in the hypothetical primary against Trump. This is 8 percentage points higher than the 40 percent that would support Trump. In a similar poll in January, Trump was leading by 7 percentage points while now he is losing by 8.
Speculations want both Trump and DeSantis to be placing a bid for the White House in 2024. However, neither has made any official announcement confirming an attempt. Trump has throughout the year hinted that he would be seeking a second term at the White House, but there have so far not been any official announcements from his end.
David Paleologos, the director of the Suffolk University Political Research Centre, has said that just because DeSantis is leading Florida Republicans it does not mean that he would necessarily be able to win the support of the other states and GOP voters. However, currently, the polls do show that most voters are shifting away from Trump and towards DeSantis.
According to the same poll, DeSantis also seems to have a far more comfortable lead in a matchup against President Biden in Florida with a 52 to 44 percent. In contrast, Trump would also be leading against President Biden but only by 3 percentage points, 47-44 percent.
The poll also showed that there is a large difference in whom Republicans support depending on their income. Less well-off Republicans seem to be more in favor of Trump, while wealthy Republicans support DeSantis.
For those making an income of $50,000 per year or less, Trump is leading with 53 percent to 36 percent. However, DeSantis leads those with an income above $50,000 with 55 percent to 33 percent.