A recent poll has revealed that former President Donald Trump has a slim lead over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in a hypothetical Republican primary. The poll surveyed likely Republican voters and Republican leaning independents to determine where potential GOP candidates stand in the early stages of the 2024 race.

According to the CNN poll, Trump leads with 40% of the vote, while DeSantis secured 36% support. Although DeSantis has not officially announced his candidacy for the 2024 race, he has sparked speculation after launching a book and private visits with top donors.

Trump leads DeSantis among likely-Republican and Republican leaning independent women with 40% to 32%. The two candidates were neck and neck among all registered voters, with DeSantis leading 39% to 37%.

In terms of age demographics, Trump received 48% support among individuals aged 18 to 45, while DeSantis received only 30% support among the same group. The poll showed that DeSantis leads Trump among voters aged 40 and over with 40% to 35%.

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence both locked in 6% of the vote, while every other listed potential candidate received under 2% support.

When combining respondents’ first and second choices for the GOP nomination, DeSantis led the group of possible contenders with 65% support, followed by Trump with 59%, Pence with 22%, Haley with 15%, and Pompeo with 9%.

Nearly 60% of likely-GOP voters are seeking a candidate who shares their views on major issues, while 41% would rather choose the candidate that is most likely to beat President Biden if he seeks another term.

In terms of candidate qualities, 87% of likely-Republican and Republican leaning independents said they prefer a candidate with sharpness and stamina, 59% believe it is essential for a candidate to pledge to maintain Social Security and Medicare as they are, 57% seek a candidate who will represent the future of the GOP, and 54% support government action to oppose “woke” values.

The economy was the issue of top concern to 32% of Republican and Republican leaning independent respondents, while immigration was the most pressing issue for 16%. 13% of respondents believe that candidate quality is the most important factor when choosing a candidate to vote for. Nearly 10% said foreign policy is the number one issue, 7% government size or spending, and 7% said issues related to values, morals and rights.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)