Staff Reports
In the latest polling of likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers, former President Donald Trump continues to maintain a strong lead over his competitors, defying expectations that his controversial campaign decisions would hurt him. According to the first Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa poll, Trump is the top choice for 42% of caucusgoers, giving him a significant edge over his opponents.
While he may not be the preferred candidate for the majority of Republicans, Trump still holds a commanding lead. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is the next closest competitor, but he trails Trump by 23 points, with only 19% support. No other candidates were able to break into double digits in the state.
Despite some strategists predicting that Trump’s support would be diminished in Iowa, the latest poll suggests otherwise. Trump’s absence from The 2023 FAMiLY Leadership Summit and his feud with Governor Kim Reynolds were seen as missteps that could potentially impact his standing in the state. However, Trump’s lead of over 20 points indicates that these factors have had little effect on his support.
Trump dominates Iowa despite feud with governor, but sliver of hope for DeSantis: Poll https://t.co/nFo844WXOs
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 21, 2023
It’s worth noting that DeSantis has seen an increase in support compared to the national data, but he still falls far behind Trump in Iowa. The DeSantis campaign is eager to capitalize on any opportunity to gain ground in the state, highlighting Trump’s absence from events and debates. However, the poll results suggest that Trump’s presence may not be as crucial as previously thought.
From a conservative standpoint, it is clear that Trump continues to resonate with voters, especially evangelicals, who view him favorably by 74%. DeSantis, though not far behind, is unable to match Trump’s favorability with this group. While DeSantis may be gaining some traction in Iowa, he still has a long way to go before posing a real challenge to the former president.
In conclusion, despite speculation and perceived missteps, Donald Trump remains the frontrunner among likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers. His lead over competitors like Ron DeSantis and Tim Scott is substantial, and his favorability with evangelicals is strong. While some candidates are making gains in Iowa, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Trump’s support may be unwavering.
