As Governor DeSantis (R-FL) continues to see his stock rise not only in Florida, but around the country, many have suggested he run for president in 2024. While the Republican Party still seems set on seeing former President Trump (R) run for reelection, the Florida governor has beat Trump in another straw poll.
Last week, attendees of the Western Conservative Summit, organized by the Centennial Institute, a think tank associated with Colorado Christian University, approved of a Ron DeSantis candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination at 71%, with Donald Trump coming in at 67%.
The poll was conducted on the basis of, "approve," responses. The respondents could approve of multiple candidates if they wished.
Even last year, DeSantis won the straw poll at the Western Conservative Summit, also edging out Trump by single digits margins (74% to 71%).
DeSantis has not only expanded his influence into far West states like Colorado. Several weeks ago DeSantis also managed to outperform Trump in a Wisconsin poll of GOP voters in that state, calling into question the former president's lasting influence over the party.
Although the data reflects DeSantis being able to put up a good fight against the GOP kingmaker, DeSantis has almost halted all presidential rumors and has not spoken on the topic in a while. President Trump, however, seems to be doing all but explicitly declaring his run for office.
The trend is has also continued in Florida, where DeSantis is also creeping up to Trump in the latest Republican-centric polling that has been conducted, including the CPAC poll from earlier this year.
One former Republican congressman told The Floridian this week that if Trump were not to run in 2024, DeSantis would have the presidential nomination all locked up. In other words, its DeSantis' to lose. When we asked the former lawmaker about Senator Rubio's chances, he stated," we (Republicans) have historically picked a governor as our nominee."
