Trump primary challengers dwindle to the single digits in new poll

Former President Donald Trump continues to maintain his grasp on Republican primary voters as the Iowa Republican caucuses approach, with his 2024 primary competitors unable to break into double-digit support in a new survey.

In a new Emerson College Polling national survey, Trump holds on to his 59%, unchanged from September.

BIDEN GOES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC ON ISRAEL AND UKRAINE WITH OVAL OFFICE ADDRESS

Last month, only one other candidate had garnered double-digit support: Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) with 12%. However, in the new survey, the Florida governor fell to 8%, tying with former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

Haley is up 5 percentage points from the previous poll, though he remains far behind Trump.

Similar to DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy fell by 4 points, leaving him at 3%, tied with former Vice President Mike Pence. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and Pence additionally saw their numbers decrease.

While just 5% said they were undecided in the primary contest in September, the figure jumped in the October survey, with 10% of GOP primary voters saying they were not decided on a candidate.

The increase in undecided primary voters, the fall in support for several candidates aside, and the steady posture of Trump coincide with a dwindling hope from Republicans that a viable primary challenger will emerge against the former president. Recently, the campaigns of Haley and DeSantis faced off in presentations to donors, making the case that their respective candidates are the best suited to take on Trump.

However, a segment of GOP donors who were hoping to rally behind a challenger to Trump are reportedly becoming disillusioned. Increasingly, several donors are beginning to believe a candidate who is able to beat the former president won’t emerge.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

In a recent memo to donors, Scott-supporting super PAC Co-Chairman Rob Collins shared a similar sentiment. “This electorate is locked up and money spent on mass media isn’t going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting,” he said while announcing a massive cancellation of $40 million in planned fall TV and digital advertising.

In the last week, DeSantis and Haley have embarked on a particularly vigorous mudslinging battle, accusing each other of lying and flip-flopping as they appear to duke it out to be Trump’s opponent.