Can DeSantis pull it off?
Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican from Florida, is strategically targeting evangelical voters in an effort to outperform Donald Trump and secure a critical voting bloc that holds significant influence in the 2024 Republican nomination.
Embarking on his campaign tour following the announcement of his presidential bid, DeSantis engaged with conservative voters across Iowa, using the opportunity to present his campaign platform and highlight his achievements as Florida’s governor. Notably, he held his campaign launch event at an evangelical church in the suburbs of Des Moines, emphasizing his recently enacted six-week abortion ban in Florida to appeal to staunch anti-abortion voters.
DeSantis aims to distinguish himself from Trump by leveraging his stance on abortion, positioning himself as more conservative on this key issue than the former president. This strategy arises as some conservative groups criticize Trump for his abortion policies, particularly his reluctance to fully endorse a nationwide ban.
The Florida governor openly criticized Trump for his disapproval of the six-week abortion ban, suggesting that the former president deemed it “too harsh.” DeSantis seized upon these remarks, using them as evidence of his own positioning further to the right and implying that Trump has drifted toward the center.
However, DeSantis encountered challenges navigating the issue as he transitioned from socially conservative Iowa to the more moderate state of New Hampshire. In this new setting, the Florida governor opted to avoid discussing the subject altogether, indicating a cautious approach where he selectively emphasizes abortion in states likely to support him while remaining silent in places where it could prove politically volatile.
DeSantis’s pursuit of evangelical voters is motivated by the fact that Trump currently leads him in polling within this demographic, as revealed by a recent survey conducted by Monmouth University. The poll demonstrates that Trump enjoys a lead of approximately 28 points over DeSantis, a significant increase from the 9-point lead he held in March.
Nevertheless, there remains a glimmer of hope for the Florida governor. Another poll conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute indicates that evangelical voters hold a more favorable view of DeSantis compared to Trump, potentially giving him an advantage in this particular group.
The dynamics of evangelical voter support in the GOP primary may undergo a shift, especially with the anticipated entry of former Vice President Mike Pence into the race. Pence has long enjoyed popularity among this voting bloc due to his conservative policies, making him a formidable contender for their support.