Ron DeSantis Takes Lead In New New Hampshire Poll

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken the lead in a poll of New Hampshire Republican primary voters that was released today. In addition, DeSantis leads a potential general election matchup against President Joe Biden in the state. Biden won New Hampshire by 8% in 2020.

The poll which was conducted by the University of New Hampshire shows DeSantis leading former President Donald Trump 39% to 37%, which is within the poll’s margin of error. The result is notable because this is the first poll either in a single state or nationally where DeSantis leads Trump among Republican primary voters.

New Hampshire is the first state to have a primary. Traditionally, the winner of the New Hampshire primary has gone on to win the Republican nomination.

In addition to leading the Republican primary, DeSantis also leads a potential general election matchup against Biden. DeSantis gets 47% compared to Biden’s 46%. Biden won the state by 8% in 2020.

Donald Trump performs more poorly against Biden in a rematch. Biden gets 50% compared to Trump’s 43%.

DeSantis is also more popular than Trump among New Hampshire primary voters. DeSantis enjoys a 66%+ net favorability compared to Trump’s 46%+ net favorability. However, both men are unpopular with New Hampshire voters generally with DeSantis underwater by 9% and Trump underwater by 26%.

DeSantis has emerged as a potential Republican presidential contender due to his response to the COVID-19 pandemic where he emerged as a critic of lockdowns and other restrictions that were championed. DeSantis has reinforced his case by governing as a strong conservative and the use of viral moments where he goes after reporters and other critics.

I did expect DeSantis to eventually lead Donald Trump in a primary poll this year but I did not expect it to happen so soon. DeSantis has drawn support from across the spectrum of the Republican Party.

More polling results like this will only encourage DeSantis to enter the 2024 race.