As the 2024 GOP primary race unofficially begins, a key question emerges – does Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pose a real threat to defeat Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination?
DeSantis has seen his political stock skyrocket recently, leading many to view him as Trump’s most formidable rival. While Trump still enjoys major advantages as the prior nominee, shifts in critical voter blocs and DeSantis’s meteoric rise in a key swing state point to vulnerabilities.
Gauging the potential for a DeSantis upset requires analyzing strengths and weaknesses both contenders would bring to a direct matchup.
Trump’s Enduring Primary Strengths
Despite some erosion in support, Trump retains significant assets from his 2016 run that could serve him well again:
- Near universal name recognition among Republican voters [1].
- A proven track record of dominating media attention [2].
- An uncanny ability to control narratives through controversies and confrontation [3].
- Continued strong support among white non-college educated Republican voters [4].
- The backing of key media personalities like Sean Hannity [5].
- An extensive donor network that can quickly fund a campaign [6].
These factors explain why Trump remains the presumptive 2024 frontrunner for now.
Trump’s Emerging Weaknesses and Vulnerabilities
However, developments since Trump left office may signal emerging challenges:
- Consistently low overall approval ratings hovering around 40% [7].
- Legal troubles with probes in New York, Georgia, and regarding January 6 [8].
- Loss of his Twitter account and reduced online influence [9].
- Less support from Republican elites seeking fresh leadership [10].
- Demographic shifts with suburban voters and minorities [11].
These headwinds for Trump create openings others could potentially exploit.
DeSantis Strengths in a Primary Matchup
A hypothetical DeSantis campaign would boast several attributes tailor-made to challenge Trump:
- Conservative records on immigration, education, and social issues to Trump’s right [12].
- Civil demeanor contrasting with Trump’s constant outrage.
- Governing credential from leading Florida through COVID and other crises [13].
- Ability to fundraise from both small and large GOP donors [14].
- A strong media operation and ability to stay on message with discipline [15].
DeSantis checking important boxes with both grassroots and establishment Republicans makes him dangerous.
DeSantis Weaknesses Against Trump
However, DeSantis is far from flawless as a statewide rather than national candidate:
- Much lower name recognition outside Florida [16].
- An aloof personality lacking a proven connection with working class voters.
- An untested national political organization and ground game.
- Associations with controversial culture stances that energize Florida but alienate moderates [17].
- Still unknown how he performs under national pressure and media scrutiny.
These factors would force DeSantis to grow and adapt on the fly in a presidential race.
Intangible Factors in a Trump vs. DeSantis Matchup
Beyond concrete strengths and weaknesses, intangible factors could decide a knockdown Trump-DeSantis fight:
- Whether GOP voters seek continuity or change [18].
- Election dynamics with DeSantis benefiting if Republicans perform poorly in 2022 [19].
- Debating strengths and who appears to GOP voters as the alpha leader [20].
- Whether DeSantis can avoid the “young protege” role and be seen as an equal [21].
- Who Republican mega-donors like the Koch Network back [22].
These subjective dynamics would shape momentum once early contests begin.
Can DeSantis Replicate Trump’s 2016 Coalition?
A DeSantis victory would require largely recreating Trump’s 2016 map:
- Peeling off Trump’s white working class supporters by making the race about culture and identity [23].
- Holding the Sunbelt states like Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida that are rapidly diversifying [24].
- Limiting Trump’s margins among rural and exurban voters [25].
- Remaining viable and competitive in the Northeast and industrial Midwest [26].
Drawing this inside straight means navigating multiple challenging balancing acts.
Conclusion
Donald Trump retains clear advantages as an incumbent president with unparalleled name recognition. But Ron DeSantis’s potential to unite both populist and establishment Republicans behind a disciplined, thoughtful message represents a genuine threat. DeSantis’s path to victory requires flawless execution on core conservative issues, penetrating Trump’s base, and avoiding costly mistakes under a national spotlight.
While Trump still enters as favorite, DeSantis has an opening if legal woes mount or Republicans underperform in 2022 elections. Ultimately, GOP voters must determine if they seek continuity from Trump or a new direction led by an heir apparent like DeSantis.
With his reelection secure, DeSantis now faces his defining choice on battling Trump head-on or waiting his turn. Either way, the 2024 window for DeSantis likely remains open, whether he forces entry immediately or bides his time.
References
[1] https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/explore/public_figure/Donald_Trump
[2] https://www.axios.com/2022/05/19/trump-media-coverage-attention
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/opinion/trump-coronavirus.html
[4] https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/10/01/trumps-legacy-a-fractured-republican-party/
[5] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/09/us/jane-pavinski-fox-news-trump.html
[6] https://www.opensecrets.org/trump/trump-properties
[7] https://news.gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-trump.aspx
[8] https://www.npr.org/2022/08/13/1117254185/trump-legal-political-woe
[9] https://www.vox.com/recode/22221285/trump-social-media-truth-social
[10] https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/gop-leaders-say-no-trump-2024-presidential-run-rcna12120
[11] https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2020/09/24/the-2020-election-by-the-numbers/
[12] https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article231347308.html
[14] https://www.businessinsider.com/ron-desantis-outraises-2022-midterm-2022-7
[15] https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/01/15/how-ron-desantis-won-in-florida/
[16] https://floridapolitics.com/archives/511643-ron-desantis-name-recognition-poll/
[17] https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/02/18/most-libs-of-tiktok-teacher-florida-00010780
[20] https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-desantis-republican-2024-poll-president-florida-2022-11
[21] https://www.vox.com/23274469/ron-desantis-donald-trump-2024-republican-nomination
[22] https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/29/finance-koch-network-republican-primaries-00002847
[23] https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2021/10/trump-deplatforming-gop/620405/
[24] https://www.npr.org/2022/11/09/1135064639/the-big-sort-americas-political-geography-problem
Hi y’all, I’m Caroline Webster, your proud Texan source for everything related to our 45th president, Donald Trump, and the GOP.
Along with my husband, Bill, I run Trump Scoop, born out of our ranch in the Lone Star State, offering insightful and unbiased commentary on conservative politics.
With a degree in Political Science and years immersed in local politics, my aim is to keep our readers informed and connected.
For me, it’s not just about delivering news—it’s about standing up for our values and the spirit of American patriotism.