DeSantis trails former president Donald Trump among Florida GOP voters 50-30% according to one poll, while others show him being overwhelmingly unpopular with female voters.
It’s been nearly two months since Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis entered the 2024 Republican presidential primary with a vow to “Make America Florida,” a promise that’s involved pointing to his accomplishments in the Sunshine state to argue that he’s a stronger, more capable candidate than former president Donald Trump.
But thus far, voters aren’t buying what DeSantis has been selling—not even in Florida, where he won reelection by 19 points last year.
A new poll from Florida Atlantic University/Mainstreet Research shows former president Donald Trump leading DeSantis among registered Republicans in Florida by a 50%-30% margin.
DeSantis’ struggles with Florida Republicans comes even as he has spent much of his campaign appealing to the conservative base by touting his policy “victories” in the state, including anti-LGBTQ legislation, his implementation of a six-week abortion ban, and continued his legal fight against the Disney Corporation.
The Governor’s Female Troubles
As he’s traveled across the country introducing himself to voters, DeSantis has also found himself struggling with a key group of voters: women. A new survey conducted by The Economist and YouGov found that fewer than 3 in 10 women nationally approve of DeSantis.
RELATED: What ‘Make America Florida’ Might Actually Mean
According to the poll, 45% of women regard the governor unfavorably, including 37% who regard him in a “very unfavorable manner.” In contrast, only 29% view him favorably, while another 25% don’t know.
Another survey from Civiqs also reveals that 64% of women disapprove of the Florida Governor, with 63% of female independent voters and 93% of Democratic women against him.
Previously, a Data for Progress poll conducted between March 17 and April 8 found that the majority of women voters are “strongly opposed” to several key policies enacted by DeSantis and the conservative-majority Florida Legislature, including:
- Making abortion illegal after six weeks of pregnancy (54% of women oppose the legislation, while 35% support it).
- Allowing individuals to carry concealed guns without a permit or training. This law is opposed by 75% and supported by 19% of female voters.
RELATED: DeSantis’ Anti-LGBTQ Video Backfires, Alienates Conservative Supporters
Ethnic Groups and Independents Are Not in Play
The survey conducted by The Economist and YouGov also shows that just 21% of Black voters and 20% of Hispanic voters viewing him favorably.
And if the Republican incumbent is counting on those voters who may be sitting on the fence, the news is not good either.
Just 27% of independent voters approve of DeSantis, compared to 49% disapproval. Among moderates, 29% approve of DeSantis, against 51% disapproval.
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