Originally published September 20, 2023 7:43 am PDT
Former President Donald Trump appears to be widening his lead in the race for the 2024 Republican Presidential Primary, according to the latest Emerson College Polling results.
The survey revealed a 47-point advantage for Trump over his nearest rival, suggesting a considerable shift in favor of the former president.
In the poll, 59% of respondents expressed their support for Trump, a significant leap of nine points from the previous month.
Meanwhile, Governor Ron DeSantis remains steady at 12%, while entrepreneur and author Vivek Ramaswamy slips slightly to 7%.
Other notable figures include Chris Christie and Mike Pence, each garnering 5%, followed by Nikki Haley at 3% and Tim Scott securing 2%. Interestingly, 5% of the respondents are yet to make up their minds.
Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling, observed, “The Trump voter remains resilient, and despite a dip in August’s post-debate poll, Trump has now expanded his lead and has improved his position from before the first debate.”
A closer look at the data reveals a hardened stance among Republican Primary voters.
A total of 63% confirmed their unwavering commitment to their preferred candidate.
Diving deeper, Matt Taglia, the newly appointed Senior Director at Emerson College Polling, commented, “Seventy-five percent of Trump voters say they will definitely support him in the Republican primary,” marking an increase from the previous month.
He also pointed to the strengthening resolve among DeSantis supporters, noting that “42% say the same of Ron DeSantis,” compared to just 25% in August.
On the Democratic front, President Joe Biden’s approval rating hovers at 41%, facing a slight drop from August’s 43%, while 47% of voters disapprove of his performance.
If the Democratic Primary were held today, 62% would back Biden, while Robert Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson would secure 14% and 4% respectively.
A sizable 21% remain undecided.
In a hypothetical general election showdown, both Trump and Biden secure 45% of the vote.
However, the introduction of Green Party candidate Cornel West into the equation nudges Trump slightly ahead with 43%, while Biden trails at 42%.
West himself captures 4% of the vote.
Voters seem to express concerns over President Biden’s age.
A majority, 55%, believe his age might impede his presidential duties.
However, 29% argue that it provides him with the necessary wisdom and experience.
Kimball noted stark differences across party lines on this matter: “Republican and independent voters think Biden’s age makes the job of president too difficult, at 79% and 54% respectively, while only a third of Democrats say the same.”
On other issues, a plurality of voters (42%) support the United Auto Workers union’s strike against major automobile manufacturers.
Similarly, 42% side with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in their strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Regional nuances emerge in these findings.
Taglia highlights, “While the highest incidence of support for the UAW occurs in the Northeast (48%), support in the Midwest – the traditional home of the US auto industry – only reaches 43%.”
When it comes to pressing national concerns, the economy dominates as the primary issue for 40% of voters.
Other areas of concern include ‘threats to democracy’ (13%), healthcare (12%), immigration (10%), and crime (6%), among others.
