DeSantis loses ground in GOP primary: poll

DeSantis has not formally announced a presidential campaign.

By Ben Whedon

Published: February 17, 2023 4:46pm

Updated: February 17, 2023 4:59pm

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appears to be bleeding support for a hypothetical 2024 presidential campaign, a recent survey suggests.

A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released to The Hill on Friday indicates that DeSantis lags behind former President Donald Trump by 23%, earning 23% support to Trump's 46% in a primary matchup.

The same survey conducted in January showed Trump with a more modest, 20-point lead of 48% to 28%, indicating DeSantis has lost 5% over the past month.

When the poll excludes Trump, DeSantis remains the clear frontrunner with 39% of Republicans backing him, though that figure has fallen 10 points from his 49% support in January.

In a one-on-one match between Trump and DeSantis, the former president held a clear lead of 56% to 44%.

DeSantis has not formally announced a presidential campaign. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is currently the only Republican to have officially challenged Trump for the party's 2024 nomination.

Conducted from Feb. 15-16, the survey polled 1,838 registered voters.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.