In 2024, Ron DeSantis[1] ended his campaign ahead of what would have been a brutal loss in New Hampshire.
If he runs in 2028, new polling from the University of New Hampshire[2] says he’ll struggle again in what is historically the first-in-the-nation Primary state.
The “Granite State Poll,” his worst showing in any state poll so far, shows the Florida Governor with 3% support overall.
This puts DeSantis behind Vice President JD Vance (51%), former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley (9%), National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard (8%), Secretary of State Marco Rubio (5%), Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (4%), and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky (4%).
Vivek Ramaswamy also has 3% support.
In terms of favorability, DeSantis does slightly better than in the overall poll. His +40 is good for fourth place, behind Vance (+64), Rubio (+46) and Gabbard (+46).
As a candidate, New Hampshire’s independent electorate, which is allowed to decide party interest on Election Day, bedeviled DeSantis at times.
He notably spent part of a town hall in January discussing book bans with a voter who said his sister had a friend who had to remove a Dr. Seuss[3] book from a Florida library and thus would not vote for DeSantis.
He also had an endorsement rescinded[4] by the owner of a country store in the state.
Addressing the New Hampshire GOP[5] at the Amos Tuck Dinner[6], the Governor dealt with some women storming the stage chanting “Jews against DeSantis[7].”
President Donald Trump mocked DeSantis’ elevated shoes[8] as well.
“So they have a high heel outside, but inside you got a big deal going on and he’s walking off the stage like he’s trying to balance himself,” Trump added. “I thought he was wearing ice skates.”
Though this was DeSantis’ worst poll overall, one taken last year[9] found him to be the choice of just 2% of men in the state.
In more positive news, DeSantis does much better in UNH’s polling of Maine, drawing 11% support.
He’s in second place in the Pine Tree State, though 49 points behind Vance.
However, their Primary is in March.
References
- ^ Ron DeSantis (flgov.com)
- ^ University of New Hampshire (www.unh.edu)
- ^ Dr. Seuss (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ endorsement rescinded (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ New Hampshire GOP (nh.gop)
- ^ Amos Tuck Dinner (nh.gop)
- ^ Jews against DeSantis (twitter.com)
- ^ elevated shoes (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ one taken last year (floridapolitics.com)