Republican figures and groups opposing former President Donald Trump have recently provided endorsements for several candidates in an attempt to influence the competition for the GOP presidential nomination. However, these endorsements, as revealed by the latest NBC News/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll in Iowa, have yet to exert a significant impact.
Despite Trump holding a substantial lead of over 30 points ahead of his closest rival, the poll indicates that a majority of potential Iowa Republican caucusgoers remain unmoved by these endorsements, at least for now. A considerable 54% state that Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ endorsement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis does not sway their voting decisions for the January 15 contest.
In contrast, only 31% express that Reynolds’ endorsement makes them more inclined to vote for DeSantis—though this is a higher percentage than DeSantis’ current level of caucus support. Nevertheless, it falls short of bridging the gap with Trump. Additionally, 14% assert that Reynolds’ endorsement makes them less likely to support DeSantis.
Following Reynolds’ endorsement in early November, DeSantis garnered 19% support among likely Iowa caucusgoers in the latest survey, a modest increase from the 16% he held in October, falling within the poll’s margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. In comparison, Trump’s support rose from 43% in October to 51% in November.
Furthermore, a substantial 73% of likely caucusgoers indicate that Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats’ endorsement of DeSantis does not impact their decisions. Similarly, 71% state that Americans for Prosperity’s endorsement of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, the political arm of the conservative Koch political network, does not influence their vote choices.
By: Montana Newsroom staff
