DeSantis allies hope advantage in big states will help him in 2024 GOP race

Former President Donald Trump appears to have a clear advantage in the 2024 GOP primary based on national polls. However, some political analysts and supporters of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) believe that his popularity in delegate-rich states could create an opportunity for him to win if he stays in the race until the end.

Although state polls show varied results, DeSantis is often competitive or winning in some surveys of populous states like California and Florida. The state of Florida alone has 125 delegates, while California has 169, accounting for nearly a quarter of the 1,234 delegates needed to secure the party’s nomination. Both states are winner-take-all contests.

DeSantis still has some hurdles to overcome, as he tends to fare better against Trump one-on-one than in a crowded field. Several polls have shown DeSantis leading or tying with Trump in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire; however, things change when other contenders are added, and Trump goes back to leading.

Privately, DeSantis is optimistic that the field will clear out and that he can consolidate GOP opposition to the former president. However, one key factor is momentum. If Trump wins in the early states, DeSantis’s momentum in Florida and California could be gone by the time of those primaries. If DeSantis does well early, that would provide a needed boost heading into the bigger delegate-rich states.

DeSantis has been maintaining a busy travel schedule, making stops in several states and giving speeches to key groups. He remains untested in the national arena, but many GOP supporters believe he has the potential to grow and overtake Trump if given the opportunity.

Overall, DeSantis is doing well in some of the states where delegates matter the most. Although he may have a tough road ahead, his supporters remain hopeful that his popularity in Florida and California could carry him to victory over Trump in the end.