Iowa Holds Key in Latest Presidential Polls
Trump Dominates Polls as GOP Candidates Focus on Iowa Caucuses
As former President Donald Trump continues to dominate national and state polls in the GOP primary, trailing Republican candidates are placing their time, energy, and money on the Iowa caucuses.
Trailing Candidates Make Iowa a Make-or-Break Battleground
Candidate and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) said last week that for his campaign, “it’s Iowa or bust,” while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has moved a large portion of his campaign staff to the Hawkeye State in an attempt to gain some early momentum and keep his struggling presidential bid alive. Meanwhile, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is gaining ground in Iowa as the caucuses approach.
Iowa Voters Still Favor Trump, but Challengers Gain Traction
But according to the latest polls, Iowa voters still heavily favor Trump as their first-choice candidate as the calendar inches closer to the January 15 caucuses.
Trump Leads in Iowa Polls, DeSantis and Haley Show Promise
According to an Iowa St./Civiqs survey of 425 likely caucusgoers taken between October 6-10, Trump was the first choice among 55% of them, while DeSantis was at 17%, Haley was at 11%, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was at 5%, and Scott sat at 4%. For caucusgoers’ second choice, DeSantis led with 22%, above Haley (18%), Ramaswamy (16%), Scott (13%), and Trump (8%).
Trump Maintains Lead, Haley Surges in Iowa Poll
Trump’s lead in Iowa wasn’t as large, according to the most recent poll conducted by the Des Moines Register and NBC News. That survey, conducted between October 22-26, found that 43% of caucusgoers picked the former president as their first choice while DeSantis and Haley tied at 16% in what the pollsters said was a big win for Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Haley’s good showing in the poll was bolstered by independents, 22% of whom picked her as their first choice compared to 12% who chose DeSantis. Trump leads among independents with 33% marking him as their first choice.
DeSantis Leads as Second Choice, Trump Supporters Firm in Their Decision
DeSantis was the leading candidate for second choice, according to the poll, as 27% of likely caucusgoers said the Florida governor is their second pick compared to 17% who marked Haley as their number two choice.
Trump’s Stronghold in Iowa, DeSantis and Haley Gain Ground
There was more good news for Trump in the Des Moines Register/NBC News poll, which found that nearly two-thirds of the Republican caucusgoers who picked Trump said their minds were made up to vote for him as their first-choice candidate. Only 30% of DeSantis voters and 26% of Haley voters said their minds were made up, while 70% of DeSantis voters and 74% of Haley supporters said they could still be persuaded to vote for someone else as their first choice candidate.
DeSantis Matches Trump’s Support in Iowa
While the poll on its surface didn’t look great for the DeSantis campaign, there was a bright spot for the Florida governor. According to the survey, DeSantis has the same “footprint of support in Iowa” as Trump. The Des Moines Register wrote, “Likely Republican caucusgoers were asked their first choice for president, their second choice and which of the other Republican candidates they were actively considering. The total represents a candidate’s full footprint of support in Iowa, where likely caucusgoers often weigh several candidates before zeroing in on their Caucus Day choice.”
Trump Maintains Strong Lead, Challengers Struggle to Catch Up
Both Trump and DeSantis had a footprint of 67%, Haley sat at 54%, Scott was at 49%, and Ramaswamy was at 32%. But with 63% of Trump’s voters saying their minds are made up to go with the former president, trailing candidates have a lot of ground to make up even to make the Iowa race competitive come January 15.
Trump Holds Commanding Lead in Iowa Polls
The Real Clear Politics average of Iowa polls shows Trump (48.8%) leading DeSantis (17.3%) by 31.5 percentage points. Haley (11.5%) sits in third place in the state over Scott (6.0%), and Ramaswamy (5.3%).
Undecided. The road to the Iowa caucuses is filled with uncertainty and potential surprises, making it a crucial battleground for the Republican contenders.
Rst choice. This indicates a strong and loyal base of support for the former president in Iowa. However, DeSantis and Haley are making significant gains and could potentially challenge Trump’s dominance in the state.
The Importance of Iowa in the GOP Primary
The Iowa caucuses hold immense importance in the Republican primary race. Historically, the winner of the Iowa caucuses has a significant advantage in gaining momentum and support going forward. Iowa voters take their role seriously and the caucuses serve as an early test for candidates vying for the party’s nomination.
Strategies of Trailing Candidates
With Trump continuing to dominate national and state polls, trailing candidates are focusing their efforts on Iowa in the hopes of a breakthrough. Senator Tim Scott has explicitly stated that Iowa is a make-or-break state for his campaign, indicating the do-or-die nature of the caucuses for some candidates. Governor Ron DeSantis has shifted a substantial part of his campaign staff to Iowa, recognizing its significance in shaping the trajectory of his presidential bid. Nikki Haley, who has been gaining ground in Iowa, is also putting considerable effort into winning over caucusgoers.
The Battle for First and Second Choice
While Donald Trump maintains a solid lead in first-choice preferences among Iowa caucusgoers, both DeSantis and Haley are gaining traction. According to the Iowa St./Civiqs survey, DeSantis is the preferred second choice among likely caucusgoers, while Haley follows closely behind. This indicates that even if Trump remains the top choice, the battle for second place is crucial in gaining support from voters who may be open to alternative candidates.
Haley’s Surprising Performance
Nikki Haley’s strong showing in recent polls, particularly the Des Moines Register/NBC News poll, is noteworthy. Tying with DeSantis at 16% in the first-choice category is a significant boost to her campaign. Furthermore, Haley’s support among independents, a key demographic, further solidifies her position as a viable contender. If she continues to gain ground, it could potentially shake up the race in Iowa and beyond.
Trump’s Unwavering Support
Although challengers are making strides, Trump’s support among his base remains unwavering. The Des Moines Register/NBC News poll reveals that a majority of Republican caucusgoers who selected Trump as their first choice are firm in their decision. This loyalty and dedication to Trump could prove to be a formidable obstacle for the trailing candidates as they seek to sway voters in their favor.
The Road to the Iowa Caucuses
As the Iowa caucuses draw near, the focus intensifies on the state’s political landscape. Trump’s dominance in both national and Iowa polls presents a significant challenge for his Republican rivals. However, with trailing candidates like DeSantis and Haley showing promise, the race is far from over. As the candidates continue to campaign vigorously and make their case to Iowans, the ultimate outcome of the caucuses remains
Read More From Original Article Here: Latest Presidential Polls: All Eyes On Iowa
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