Trump wins CPAC straw poll, DeSantis runner-up

Former President Donald Trump captured a solid majority of voters in the 2022 Conservative Political Action Conference’s (CPAC) highly anticipated presidential straw poll on Sunday.

The unofficial pollfound that 59% of the more than 2,500 attendees of the Orlando conference back Trump for the 2024 Republican Presidential nomination. This is a slight increase from the last poll, where he received 55% support.

“Any questions? President Trump continues to grow the conservative MAGA movement, which includes growing his political dominance,” Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich tweeted after the results were announced.

Any questions?

President Trump continues to grow the conservative MAGA movement, which includes growing his political dominance. What a great conference—the MAGA wave is going to crash over 2022 in historic fashion. https://t.co/HIbhJkCZeF

— Taylor Budowich (@TayFromCA) February 27, 2022

Trump has remained cagey about whether he will run in 2024, but again hinted at a potential run during a keynote speech at CPAC this weekend. He currently maintains strong support among Republicans, with 97% of attendees approving of his performance as president.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis finished second with 28% of the vote, up from his 21% last year. The first-term governor has steadily gained popularity for his conservative governance and strong stance against federal pandemic lockdowns and mask mandates.

None of the other 19 names listed on the ballot broke 2%, including Trump’s former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Donald Trump, Jr., Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations under Trump.

The straw poll also asked the question again without Trump listed as a potential 2024 primary candidate. DeSantis won that easily with 61% of the vote, including two-thirds of the Trump supporters from the first question.

Pompeo and Trump, Jr., tied for second place on the second question with 6% each.

The weekend saw attendees repeatedly voicing support for Trump but expressing a growing interest in DeSantis, The Hill reported. The split reflects an emerging schism on the American right, with one poll early this month finding that 49% of Republican and Republican-leaning independents would prefer a 2024 candidate other than Trump.

The poll all but confirms Republicans’ assumption that DeSantis would be the clear challenger to Trump if he chooses to run. The pair have stepped lightly around a possible head-to-head in 2024.