Trump Has Commanding Lead in Iowa Ahead of 2024 Republican Caucus – Poll

(Reuters) – Former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a commanding lead over his Republican rivals within the state of Iowa, the place the occasion’s presidential nominating contest begins in January, in line with an opinion ballot launched on Monday.

The Des Moines Register/NBC Information/Mediacom survey of possible Iowa Republican caucusgoers reveals Trump has the backing of 42%, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at 19% and U.S. Senator Tim Scott in third place with 9%.

Different Republican candidates within the crowded area aiming to tackle Democratic President Joe Biden within the November 2024 election registered in decrease single-digit numbers.

Even so, J. Ann Selzer, the veteran Iowa pollster whose agency carried out the survey, stated the race shouldn’t be settled and could be “nearer than it might first appear.”

A majority — or 52% — stated they’d a primary alternative for president however might nonetheless be persuaded to help a distinct candidate, whereas 40% stated their minds have been made up.

Amongst Trump supporters, nevertheless, 66% stated their vote was set, whereas 34% stated they could possibly be persuaded to alter their minds.

Trump’s 4 indictments confirmed little indicators of deterring his supporters. The ballot discovered 65% of possible Republican caucusgoers did not suppose Trump had dedicated critical crimes, in contrast with the 26% who believed he had.

The ballot was carried out Aug. 13-17, coinciding with information on Aug. 14 {that a} Georgia grand jury had issued an indictment accusing him of efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden.

The survey got here forward of Wednesday’s first Republican major debate, which Trump has stated he’ll skip, citing his massive lead in polls.

A nationwide CBS ballot on Sunday confirmed Trump was the popular candidate for 62% of Republican voters, with DeSantis trailing behind at 16%.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Modifying by Colleen Jenkins and Jonathan Oatis)

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