Ron takes lead over Don in early Iowa, NH polls

Although he has yet to declare his candidacy for the 2024 presidential primary race, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is outperforming former President Donald Trump in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to surveys conducted by top Republican firm Public Opinion Strategies. Both states have early voting so this is where voters in other states pay close attention.

The results of the surveys, which were provided to Axios, were conducted from March 21 to 23 for an outside client — not a candidate or super PAC. It found that DeSantis is ahead of Trump by eight points (45% to 37%) in Iowa and tied with Trump in New Hampshire (39% each).

The other candidates who have announced their intention to run, including Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy and Mike Pence, are well-behind both DeSantis and Trump.

DeSantis had a significant advantage over Trump in the 'favorability' vs. unfavorability' category, where he rated 81% - 11% while Trump trailed him 74% - 24%. Haley's favorability/unfavorability was 60% - 19% and Pence's was 59% - 35%.

In the Granite State DeSantis' favorability rating was 77% - 15% while Trump's was 69% - 29%; Haley's was 54% - 23%; Pence was 50% - 43%.

In spite of DeSantis' high numbers, a significant number of Republicans said they didn't see him as "the best candidate to defeat Joe Biden," even though a box of dead bunnies has a higher intellectual capacity than the current alleged POTUS.

In New Hampshire, only 48% of respondents said DeSantis was the clear candidate to defeat the brain addled Biden, while only 46% thought Trump was more electable.

However, in Iowa, DeSantis fared better with 54% saying they believe him to be more electable than Biden; while Trump had 44% saying the same thing about the former president.

Similarly, 68% of Iowa Republicans said they believe DeSantis has a better temperament than Trump. Of those surveyed in New Hampshire, 71% agreed. 

Things will likely change as they always do in time before the primaries, but once DeSantis announces his candidacy, which he almost certainly will, it should not surprise us to see blood in the water and changes in the numbers.

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