Trump Keeps Huge Lead Over DeSantis

(LibertySociety.com) – Former President Trump has enjoyed a massive lead over all other candidates in the Republican primary field, and that does not appear to be changing any time soon. Newsmax recently partnered with McLaughlin & Associates to conduct a national survey of likely Republican voters for the presidential primary elections. Between August 17 and 20, 800 respondents were contacted on landline phones, text, and online. Twenty percent of the respondents identified as Independent or other non-Republican voters. The poll also sought to identify the religious status of respondents and their stance on abortion.

Overall, 48 percent said that they would vote for the former president if the election took place that day, with just 19 percent saying the same for Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Vivek Ramaswamy came in at 14%, just slightly trailing DeSantis. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott tied for fourth place with each garnering 4 percent of support. Former Vice President Mike Pence received just 2 percent support. Twenty-six percent of respondents identified as pro-choice, while 68 percent said they were pro-life. Forty percent of the respondents were over the age of 65. Nearly equal amounts of men and women participated, at 51 and 49 percent, respectively. Sixty-eight percent of respondents identified as being born-again Christians or Evangelicals.

A recent 2,061-person CBS/YouGov poll showed even greater support for former President Trump. Of the 538 likely Republican voters, 61 percent said they would vote for Trump if the election were held that day. DeSantis received just 16 percent in that poll, with Ramaswamy at 7 percent and former Vice President Mike Pence at 5 percent.

Thus far, the myriad of indictments against Trump has only increased his support, prompting anti-Trump Republicans to panic. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy told CNN that Trump should drop out of the race, alleging that Americans will not vote for Trump if he is convicted of crimes. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu recently urged other Republicans in the primary election to drop out in hopes of narrowing the field to beat Trump, which did not go unnoticed by the former President.