The race for the Republican nomination in the upcoming election year has officially begun, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley vying for second place, trailing far behind the frontrunner, Donald Trump.
According to the RealClearPolling average, which takes into account polls conducted throughout December, Trump maintains a commanding lead with 62.5 percent support. DeSantis and Haley, on the other hand, lag significantly behind with only 11.2 percent support. These figures are based on an average of polls conducted between December 4 and December 29, including reputable sources such as Reuters/Ipsos, Morning Consult, and Quinnipiac.
While the majority of polls place DeSantis and Haley in a tie for second place with 11 percent support, some surveys indicate variations in their rankings. For instance, a USA Today/Suffolk poll shows Haley ahead of DeSantis by three points, while a Rasmussen Reports poll puts DeSantis four points behind. Additionally, a New York Times/Sienna poll places DeSantis two points behind Haley, and an Emerson poll reveals a seven-point gap between the two, with DeSantis closer to other contenders Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie.
These developments come as the 2024 election year kicks off, with the Iowa caucus scheduled to take place in just two weeks on January 15. Shortly thereafter, on January 23, New Hampshire will hold its primary election, further shaping the trajectory of the Republican nomination race.
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