Can a tactic that worked in 2022 in Florida work nationally next year?
That’s the question the Ron DeSantis campaign will test starting Thursday, in a state where the Governor has run in a distant second place in polling of late.
First Lady Casey DeSantis is heading to Iowa Thursday, where she will appear with Gov. Kim Reynolds to launch a “Mamas for DeSantis” group in the city of Johnston.
“As the mom and dad of young children, Gov. DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis know that when parents are engaged, America prospers. We need every mama and every grandmama in every corner of the country to stand up and fight back by electing Ron DeSantis president of the United States of America,” reads an event invitation that has been reported by multiple outlets.
The “Mamas for DeSantis” branding was called a “Million Mama Movement” back in 2022, when it leaned on personal branding including the DeSantis family’s three small children and the First Lady overcoming cancer, as well as the fight for “parental rights.”
Mrs. DeSantis hopes that mobilizing women can help the Governor in a state where he needs it.
The latest poll from Victory Insights shows Donald Trump more than doubling his support over the Florida Governor among likely caucus participants. Trump is preferred by 44% of respondents, with DeSantis taking just 21%.
Other candidates struggle by comparison.
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has 6% support and former United Nations envoy Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence each have 5%.
In a hypothetical two-way matchup between Trump and DeSantis, the two seem to split the vote for other candidates. Trump takes 49% and DeSantis takes 32%, suggesting not all supporters of marginal candidates are Never Trumpers.
The polling memo pushes back on favorable polling advanced by the DeSantis Never Back Down super PAC, polling the Governor trumpeted at a state event about Mexican border security held in Arizona last month.
“Never Back Down reported a 10-point margin between the two front-runners, but our numbers show Trump leading by 23 points among the crowded field. Even if the race narrowed to a head-to-head contest against DeSantis, Trump would maintain a lead of just over 16 (percentage points). No matter how you spin it, Trump is ahead in Iowa by a significant margin.”
At least one poll is better for DeSantis from last month: A June National Research Inc. poll commissioned by American Greatness shows the Governor trails Trump, 39% to 24%.
Other polls aren’t so strong for DeSantis.
An Emerson College survey from May shows Trump ahead of DeSantis, 62% to 20%.
In a McLaughlin and Associates poll conducted in late April, Trump led DeSantis in a full field of names, 54% to 20%. A hypothetical two-way battle between Trump and DeSantis also goes the former President’s way, 57% to 35%, with 8% undecided.
The Race to the White House polling average shows Trump ahead of DeSantis in the Hawkeye State, 45% to 23%.
The post Casey DeSantis will head to Iowa for national ‘Mamas for DeSantis’ reboot appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..