DeSantis loses ground in GOP primary: poll

DeSantis has not formally announced a presidential campaign.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at the 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland.

By Ben Whedon

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.