MARQUETTE, WISCONSIN — Ron DeSantis is more likely than Donald Trump to unseat President Joe Biden in 2024, a new poll suggests.
Florida’s governor sits one point ahead of the president in a head to head matchup, according to a Marquette Law School poll released Thursday. The survey – conducted March 13–22 – interviewed 1,004 adults nationwide, including 863 registered voters.
When asked who they would vote for if given the choice, 42 percent chose DeSantis compared to 41 percent who preferred Biden.
Meanwhile, the survey showed Trump and Biden deadlocked at 38 percent among registered voters across the country.
The results indicate Biden is closing the gap on DeSantis and keeping pace with Trump. The same poll showed the governor held a 7-point lead in January, while the 2020 candidates were dead even at 42 percent.
GOP VOTERS SHOW MIXED RESULTS ON TRUMP VS. DESANTIS
Of course, DeSantis would have to beat Trump in the primary in order to face off with Biden in November. The poll offered varying results on this matter.
When asked to select from a list of likely GOP candidates for president, 40 percent chose Trump compared to 35 percent for DeSantis. The 10 percent who selected “undecided” may be inclined to choose DeSantis over Trump if no other candidates were on the ballot.
The survey showed DeSantis held a 10-point edge over Trump in a head-to-head matchup. This suggests a closer race than the poll showed in January when DeSantis held a whopping 28-point lead over Trump.
FAVORABILITY RATINGS SINK ACROSS THE BOARD
Biden, Trump and DeSantis all saw their favorability ratings dip in the two months between the Marquette polls.
DeSantis favorability remains strong among conservative voters, but dropped two points from 71 to 69 percent. The governor’s rating is currently higher than any other likely GOP candidates for 2024, including Trump, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo.
Trump’s favorability rating dropped 4 points, going from 70 to 66 percent. ]
The news went from bad to worse for Biden. The President’s approval rating among all survey participants dropped 4 points and now sits at 39 percent.
Notably, Biden’s ratings are 8 points higher than Vice President Kamala Harris, who saw her favorability drop to 31 points in March.
