A recent poll by The Wall Street Journal indicates that former Republican Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina, a potential presidential candidate, is currently the best-positioned Republican contender to defeat President Joe Biden in the 2024 election. The poll, conducted between Nov. 29 and Dec. 4, surveyed 1,500 registered voters and revealed intriguing insights.
While Haley currently holds 11.3% support among Republican primary voters, she appears to have a significant advantage in a hypothetical general election against Biden. In this scenario, Haley commands 51% of the national popular vote, compared to Biden’s 34%, showcasing a notable 17-percentage-point difference. This margin is four times the lead former President Donald Trump held over Biden in the same poll.
Haley’s campaign team believes that her surge in popularity positions her as a formidable candidate capable of taking on both Trump and Biden. Recent polls in key states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire, further support this narrative. In New Hampshire, Haley secures second place with 18.7% support, and in Iowa, she ranks third, trailing Republican Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida by just three percentage points.
While Trump maintains his lead for the Republican presidential nomination with an average of 61.1% support, the WSJ poll suggests that Haley’s appeal extends beyond the primary. In a general election, Trump leads Biden with 47% to 43% support. When considering third-party and independent candidates, Trump’s lead widens to six percentage points, 37% to 31%, while others collectively earn 17% support.
The poll’s findings also highlight public sentiment on Biden’s policies, with only 23% of voters stating that his policies have helped them, compared to 53% who believe his policies have been detrimental. The poll, with a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points, provides early insights into the evolving landscape of the 2024 presidential race.
Trump and Biden’s presidential campaigns, as well as The White House, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
