'I can tell you those primaries get very messy and very raw'
(Photo by Joe Kovacs)
By Joe Kovacs
PALM BEACH, Florida – With the 2022 election cycle heading toward completion, political junkies are now focusing their attention on the 2024 presidential contest, especially a potential primary battle between former President Donald Trump and Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
And a brand-new poll conducted in the days after the midterms has a surprising result on which high-profile name American voters prefer.
The survey by YouGov shows the largest percentage of voters – at 41% – saying they'd prefer NEITHER DeSantis nor Trump as the GOP nominee.
Coming in second place behind "neither" was DeSantis at 23%, and in third place Trump with 20%, which is reportedly the first time ever Republican voters now back DeSantis over Trump.
The poll included both Republicans and Democrats, and when the GOP voters are isolated, Republicans still preferred DeSantis over the former president 41% to 39%.
The survey shows a reversal of another YouGov poll in October which showed more voters preferred Trump to DeSantis as the 2024 GOP nominee.
In the new poll, a plurality of Republicans at 42% indicated the party should amend its approach to the 2024 presidential race, while 31% said the party should keep the same approach it employed in the midterm elections.
On Sunday, Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump said it would be "nicer" for DeSantis to stay out of the 2024 race, and instead throw his hat in the ring in 2028.