Categories: Politics

Majority of GOP voters say DeSantis delivered best performance in first primary debate: poll

A poll taken after the first GOP presidential primary debate on Wednesday showed that the majority of Republican voters felt that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis won the night.

According to a Washington Post poll, conducted alongside FiveThirtyEight and Ipsos, 29% of Republican voters polled said that DeSantis performed the best out of the eight candidates on the stage in Milwaukee. 

The poll was conducted from Aug. 23-24 and polled 775 potential Republican primary voters who watched the debate.

The second-best performance, according to the poll’s respondents, was from entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who had support from 26% of GOP voters in the poll.

BIGGEST WINNERS AND LOSERS OF ‘AGGRESSIVE,’ ‘MESSY’ FIRST REPUBLICAN DEBATE, ACCORDING TO TOP GOP STRATEGISTS

From left: Former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty)

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley was the only other candidate to poll in double digits, with 15% of GOP voters saying she had the best night.

Former Vice President Mike Pence came in fourth with 7% support, and was followed by South Carolina Gov. Tim Scott and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who both tied with 4%.

REPUBLICAN DEBATE HIGHLIGHTS: 5 MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM MILWAUKEE SLUGFEST

Vivek Ramaswamy and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley participate in the first debate of the GOP primary season. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson both polled at 1% in the debate.

“Last night, Ron DeSantis was the clear winner and proved that he is ready to beat Joe Biden and serve as America’s 47th president,” Andrew Romeo, communications director for the DeSantis campaign, told Fox News Digital. “The debate highlighted that DeSantis is the only candidate with the vision to reverse our nation’s decline and revive the American Dream.”

The showdown in Milwaukee, hosted by Fox News, was the first of monthly debates organized by the Republican National Committee.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis waves as he arrives for his presidential campaign kickoff event at Eternity Church in Clive, Iowa, on May 30, 2023. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The next debate — a FOX Business-hosted showdown — will be held Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Share

Recent Posts

Man airlifted from Japan’s Mount Fuji rescued again after he returned to search for his phone

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 28 Fox News Flash top headlines…

1 hour ago

Trump steams ahead on these campaign promises as he reaches 100 days in office

President Donald Trump is now at the finish line of his first 100 days of…

2 hours ago

Walz ‘very pessimistic’ on Democrats retaking the Senate

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is "very pessimistic" about Democrats' chances of retaking the Senate in…

2 hours ago

House Democrat announces articles of impeachment against Trump: ‘Clear and present danger’

Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., announced on Monday that he introduced seven articles of impeachment against…

2 hours ago

Trump nabs 30K illegal immigrants, 1,100 gang members in 100 days: ‘Crime will go down,’ ex-FBI agent says

close Video Former FBI agent says 'crime will go down' as Trump administration continues arresting…

4 hours ago

Trump’s crackdown on Harvard, ‘woke’ colleges will take more than 100 days to leave lasting reform: professor

close Video Trump's first 100 days challenge campus DEI as expert warns change must be…

4 hours ago