A primary featuring both men, who are seen as likely candidates, would test the limits of Trump's sway on the Republican Party as an ex-president.
The new Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, found DeSantis has a slight advantage over Trump, 39% to 37%, among likely Republican primary voters, a lead within the survey’s margin of error. Former Vice President Mike Pence followed the pair for third place at 9%.
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The pollsters noted DeSantis’s support has more than doubled since the same poll was conducted in October.
“Trump slipping in pre-primary polls is part of a typical pattern," Andrew Smith, director of the UNH Survey Center, said in a statement. “A party’s losing candidate in the prior election is typically the best-known person in their party. As the primary gets closer, new candidates emerge and attract more media attention, and therefore more voter attention, than the losing candidate from the previous election.”
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Though still about two years away, New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary is an important contest, as an early victory can give campaigns momentum for further contests.
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DeSantis, a former member of Congress, has increased in popularity with Republican voters as he became a fixture in conservative media for engaging in culture wars and curbing COVID-19 restrictions in Florida.
The poll also revealed both Biden and Trump are becoming increasingly disfavored in New Hampshire. Only 54% of self-identified Democrats want Biden to run again. While Trump fares better within his own party at 62% who want him to seek the presidency again, similar minorities of general election voters, 30% and 29%, said they want Trump or Biden to run again..
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DeSantis would fare better against Biden than Trump, the poll indicates, with voters preferring Biden over Trump 50%-43% in New Hampshire in a general election matchup, but they prefer DeSantis to Biden at 47%-46%.
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DeSantis has plenty of advantages ahead of his November reelection. More than $100 million in the bank. A growing statewide Republican voter advantage. Massive popularity with the conservative base.
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What DeSantis doesn’t need and isn’t requesting: former President Donald Trump’s endorsement.