As the highly anticipated Iowa caucus approaches, former President Donald Trump maintains a commanding lead in the GOP primary, according to the latest Suffolk University survey. The data reveals that Trump enjoys the support of 54 percent of likely Iowa caucus goers, signaling a substantial lead over other contenders. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley trails far behind with 20 percent support, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds 13 percent, and anti-woke businessman Vivek Ramaswamy secures six percent. Even with the withdrawal of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who garners two percent support, Trump remains the dominant force.
The survey, conducted from January 6-10, 2024, among 500 likely Iowa Republican caucus goers, indicates Trump’s widespread popularity, reflected in his 73 percent favorable rating. In comparison, Haley and DeSantis receive favorable ratings of 49 percent and 58 percent, respectively. The data presents a robust picture of Trump’s appeal among GOP voters in Iowa, setting the stage for a potentially historic victory in the caucus.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, a Republican, predicts a “historic” win for Trump, citing the overwhelming enthusiasm at his rallies and the significant lead he holds in the polls. While Iowa caucuses historically witness close competition, Bird anticipates Trump securing a win by a substantial margin, possibly exceeding the previous record of a 12-point victory by a Republican in 1988. The unparalleled lead Trump holds, currently estimated at around 30 points, underscores the unprecedented and historic nature of his campaign in Iowa.
Amidst the campaign activities, a debate between DeSantis and Haley took place, drawing attention. However, some of the spotlight shifted to Chris Christie’s hot mic remarks as he exited, predicting that Haley would “get smoked” and describing DeSantis as “petrified.” Despite the candid remarks, the Suffolk University survey underscores Trump’s formidable position as the Iowa caucus approaches, suggesting a potential pivotal moment in the GOP primary landscape.