Former President Donald Trump is garnering majority support in the hypothetical North Carolina 2024 Republican primary race, a John Locke Foundation survey released this week found.
Like virtually every national survey, this state-level survey found Trump leading the Republican primary field with majority support, garnering support from 55 percent of likely GOP voters in North Carolina. No other potential challenger came close, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis fell 33 points behind, with 22 percent support.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to police officers about protecting law and order at Prive catering hall on February 20, 2023, in the Staten Island borough of New York City (Spencer Platt/Getty Images).
Former Vice President Mike Pence placed third with eight percent, followed by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley — who officially declared her candidacy in February — with five percent support.
Anti-woke businessman Vivek Ramaswamy saw two percent support and declared candidate Asa Hutchinson received one percent. Sen. Tim Scott, who is expected to make his presidential announcement in April, also polled at one percent. Five percent, overall, remain undecided.
The survey showed Trump garnering the most support from young voters, those in the 18-34 age group, as well as those 65 and older.
According to the results, Trump has m0re than 60 percent support from voters in each of those age groups:
The survey also examined the hypothetical primary Republican gubernatorial race in the Old North State and found Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson as the leader with 43 percent support.
North Carolina Lt. Gov-elect Mark Robinson is shown at his home in Colfax, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 (AP Photo/Gerry Broome).
Former Rep. Mark Walker came in a distant second, 34 points behind, with nine percent support, followed by State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler with eight percent support and State Treasurer Dale Folwell with four percent support:
The survey was taken among 707 likely Republican primary voters and has a +/- 4.4 percent margin of error.
Trump is continuing to maintain a sizable lead in national primary polls. Thursday’s Real Clear Politics (RCP) average of polls, for instance, found the former president leading by an average of 29.2 percent, with 52.1 percent support.
Notably, North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) is among several U.S. lawmakers who have emphatically endorsed Trump’s presidential bid.
“Just a few years ago America was strong, but now under Joe Biden, we are a nation in decline,” Budd said in a statement last month, first released to Breitbart News.
“Our economy is faltering, our wide-open southern border is tragically wrecking lives, and our country’s power and influence in the world is diminished. Under President Trump, our economy saw record-setting growth, and families were starting to get ahead. Neighborhoods were safer. Across the globe, we were achieving peace. We were respected by allies and feared by enemies,” he said. “That’s why I endorse Donald J. Trump for President. Hardworking, everyday families need a return of the America First agenda to restore prosperity and peace.”
FLASHBACK: Trump Backs Ted Budd Senate Bid: He “Will Fight like Hell” in North Carolina
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