DeSantis aims to win over crucial group but faces difficulty on abortion stance.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Seeks to Win Over Evangelical Voters

During his first campaign tour since announcing his presidential campaign, DeSantis visited with conservative voters across Iowa to discuss his campaign platform while touting his policies as governor in the Sunshine State.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is on a mission to win over evangelical voters from Donald Trump, hoping to secure the support of this key voting bloc that could be crucial in winning the Republican nomination in 2024.

DeSantis recently held his campaign launch event at an evangelical church in the suburbs of Des Moines, where he discussed his campaign platform and highlighted his policies as governor of Florida. He also used the opportunity to tout his six-week abortion ban, which just took effect in Florida, as part of his efforts to win over strong anti-abortion voters.

DeSantis Differentiates Himself from Trump on Abortion

DeSantis has sought to differentiate himself from Trump on the issue of abortion, positioning himself as further to the right than the former president. He has used his six-week abortion ban to appeal to strong anti-abortion voters, while criticizing Trump for his hesitancy to support a nationwide ban.

Despite his efforts, DeSantis has struggled to find his footing on the issue, avoiding the subject altogether during a recent campaign stop in the more moderate state of New Hampshire. This suggests that the Florida governor is carefully toeing the line with abortion, highlighting it in states that are sure to back him while keeping quiet in places where it could be political dynamite.

Hope for DeSantis Among Evangelical Voters

According to a recent survey by Monmouth University, Trump is currently ahead of DeSantis in polling among evangelical voters, leading by roughly 28 points. However, a different poll from Public Religion Research Institute shows that evangelical voters view DeSantis more favorably than Trump, which could give him an edge.

As former Vice President Mike Pence prepares to join the GOP primary race, there could be a shift in which candidate evangelical voters choose to support. Pence has long been popular among this particular voting bloc because of his conservative policies.

• Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking to win over evangelical voters from Donald Trump.
• DeSantis visited with conservative voters across Iowa during his first campaign tour since announcing his presidential campaign.
• DeSantis held his campaign launch event at an evangelical church in the suburbs of Des Moines, touting his six-week abortion ban.
• DeSantis has sought to differentiate himself from Trump on the issue of abortion.
• Despite his efforts, DeSantis has struggled to find his footing on the issue.
• Trump is currently ahead of DeSantis in polling among evangelical voters, but there is hope for the Florida governor.
• Former Vice President Mike Pence is poised to join the GOP primary race, which could shift support among evangelical voters.

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