Trump far ahead of DeSantis in hypothetical GOP matchup: poll

Former President Donald Trump stands well ahead of Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in a hypothetical Republican Party primary contest, a recent poll suggests.

In the latest Morning Consult poll, Trump led with 48 percent support among potential primary voters, followed by the Florida Republican, who took 31 percent. Former Vice President Mike Pence placed third with 8 percent. Former Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney followed with 3 percent while both Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley took 2 percent each.

When asked their second choice, 44 percent of Trump's backers opted for DeSantis while 21 percent chose Pence. A further 37% of DeSantis supporters broke for Trump on the same question, compared with 14% who opted for Pence.

Conducted Jan. 13-15, the poll surveyed 829 potential Republican primary voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.

Trump is currently the only Republican to have declared his candidacy for the party's 2024 nomination for president. He is slated to appear at the South Carolina State House on Jan. 28 to announce his campaign leaders in the state. Both Sen. Lindsey Graham and Gov. Henry McMaster plan to attend that event.

The state is one of the earliest to hold a Republican primary and an early win for Trump could help him to stave off potential challengers.