Poll: Trump would beat DeSantis in a Florida GOP primary, but DeSantis would do better against Biden
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) would lose to former President Donald Trump in the state's 2024 GOP primary but would perform better than Trump in a general election matchup with President Biden, according a Suffolk University/USA TODAY network poll.
The poll found that, in a hypothetical 2024 primary matchup between the former president and the incumbent governor, Trump would beat DeSantis 47-40.
Despite the apparent gap, USA Today noted Wednesday that Trump's lead does fall within the poll's 7.4 percent margin of error, suggesting a "very close race."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to the poll, either GOP candidate would win Florida over Biden, but DeSantis would perform better.
Trump leads Biden 47-44 among Florida voters likely to vote in the 2022 gubernatorial election, while DeSantis is projected to defeat the incumbent president 52-44.
The error margin for the general election polling is only 4.4 percent, meaning Trump's lead is within the margin of error but DeSantis' is not.
The poll also predicted that Hillary Clinton would defeat Biden in Florida's Democratic primary, though her three-point margin of victory is significantly smaller than the Democratic primary polling's 7.4-point error margin.
Florida has become an increasingly red state in recent years. It's the only state in which Trump increased his margin of victory from 2016 to 2020, and last November the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that, for the first time in state history, Florida has more registered Republicans than registered Democrats.
The poll surveyed 500 adults and was conducted via telephone between Jan. 26 and 29.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Andrew Fahie: the ex-BVI premier, cocaine-filled boats and drug trafficking plot
Under the radar Fahie's defense attorney claimed the British overseas territory leader was 'acting like the fictitious CIA agent Jason Bourne'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ottawa climate talks: can global plastic problem be solved?
In the spotlight Nations aim to draft world's first treaty on plastic pollution, but resistance from oil- and gas-producing countries could limit scope
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Netherlands split on WFH for sex workers
Speed Read Councils concerned over 'nuisance' of at-home sex work, but others say changes will curb underground sex trade
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Sitting in judgment on Trump
Opinion Who'd want to be on this jury?
By Susan Caskie Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
How could the Supreme Court's Fischer v. US case impact the other Jan 6. trials including Trump's?
Today's Big Question A former Pennsylvania cop might hold the key to a major upheaval in how the courts treat the Capitol riot — and its alleged instigator
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published