Despite being a strong frontrunner in the Republican presidential primary, former President Donald Trump’s support in the early states may not be as solid as anticipated based on recent polls. A CBS News/YouGov survey conducted in Iowa and New Hampshire revealed that more Republican voters in these states have dismissed the idea of voting for Trump than those who have decided to support him.
In Iowa, a mere 20 percent of voters stated they are solely considering Trump, while a larger 48 percent are deliberating between the former president and other contenders. An additional 31 percent disclosed that they are not contemplating voting for Trump at all. This equates to 79 percent of the voter base either being open to or resolved on supporting a candidate other than Trump.
A similar narrative unfolds in New Hampshire, with 23 percent of voters committed to Trump, 43 percent keeping their options open, and 34 percent considering alternative candidates. Despite this, Trump maintains a considerable lead over his rivals when asked who they would vote for if elections were held immediately.
In Iowa, Trump would receive the backing of 51 percent of Republicans, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis trailing in second place at 21 percent, and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in third with 8 percent.
In New Hampshire, Trump’s lead is even more pronounced due to the scattered support for other candidates. Trump leads with 50 percent, followed by DeSantis at 13 percent and Haley at 11 percent. However, underdogs Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie also hold significant followings in New Hampshire, each garnering 8 percent.
According to the CBS/YouGov poll, 62 percent of Republicans in Iowa and 53 percent of GOP voters in New Hampshire identified debates as a “major factor” in determining their ultimate choice of candidate. This suggests that Trump’s decision to abstain from the debates could potentially impact his standing with these voters.
