- Tim Scott gains momentum as Ron DeSantis has lost nine points
Donald Trump maintains his clear lead for the Republican nomination in the early state of Iowa, according to a new poll for DailyMail.com, but Ron DeSantis has lost nine points as Tim Scott gains momentum.
The results spell more trouble for the Florida governor who this week rebooted his campaign yet again.
And they come as national attention switches to Iowa for the next week, when candidates will attend the state fair.
Polls in the state, which is the first to pick its nominee are closely watched as they can make or break a candidate.
A survey of likely Republican caucus-goers shows that Trump has the support of 43 percent, up two points since April.
How does Trump’s indictment affects the poll so far…
DeSantis’s stuttering campaign has seen him drop from 26 percent to 17.
Most of that decline seems to be down to the rocketing fortunes of well-funded Scott.
In April (before he entered the race) he was polling at one percent. Now he is on 11 percent.
The poll was conducted from August 1 to 7, in the immediate aftermath of Trump’s third criminal indictment this year.
‘Trump’s indictments have only helped him entrench his position in Iowa,’ said James Johnson, co-founder of Republican polling firm J.L. Partners, which conducted the research.
‘In April he had a 15-point lead amongst likely caucus-goers in the Hawkeye State; that now stands at a 26-point advantage.
‘Though voters continue to have a positive view of the man himself, support for DeSantis is falling fast and now only six points separate him and Tim Scott for second place.
‘Alongside Trump’s ascendancy, the story of this poll is “Scottmentum:” Scott has jumped from one percent in April to 11 percent now.
‘Iowa polls are a crucial barometer of the race. The state is the first to choose its preferred nominee, so the results can make or break a campaign.
So far Trump’s legal woes have not helped DeSantis win support among Republicans.
Brief on Trump’s indictment case
The former president was back in court last week to plead not guilty to four charges related to his effort to stay in power after the 2020 election.
The latest federal case accuses Trump of three conspiracies: Conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against people’s rights.
It follows a case in New York related to a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
And in June Trump was charged in federal court with illegally possessing classified documents after leaving the White House and concealing them from the government.
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