A recent Saint Anselm College poll reveals a widening gap between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in the New Hampshire Republican primary race. Trump's support has climbed to 47%, while DeSantis has seen a decline, now polling at 19%. Other contenders, including Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, and Tim Scott, trail behind with single-digit support.
This poll signifies a notable shift from a previous survey conducted in March, where DeSantis held 29% support. Several other candidates, such as Mike Pence, Doug Burgum, Asa Hutchinson, and Vivek Ramaswamy, each garnered 2% in the latest poll.
Looking ahead to a potential general election rematch, the poll suggests that Joe Biden would maintain an edge in New Hampshire, leading both Trump and DeSantis 49% to 40%. This finding underscores the state's significance as a battleground in the upcoming presidential election.
Interestingly, a significant majority of New Hampshire voters (83%) expressed concern over a potential Biden-Trump rematch, viewing it as a sign of a flawed political system. Concerns about the age of both candidates were also apparent, with 70% expressing worry about Biden's age (80) and 34% about Trump's (77).
Despite these concerns, Biden remains the clear frontrunner among Democrats in New Hampshire. His primary challengers, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson, received 9% and 8% support, respectively.
Coinciding with the poll's release, several Republican candidates, including Trump, DeSantis, Haley, Ramaswamy, and Will Hurd, were actively campaigning in New Hampshire. Trump, capitalizing on the positive poll results, officially launched his New Hampshire campaign headquarters and unveiled his grassroots leadership team.
Meanwhile, DeSantis engaged with voters at a town hall meeting, emphasizing his commitment to countering Trump's attacks and highlighting his endorsements in the state. The ongoing rivalry between Trump and DeSantis continues to be a central theme in the Republican primary race.
