Ron-mentum? Gov. DeSantis doubles support in New Hampshire 2028 poll

Don’t look now, but there are hopeful signs for an encore presidential run for Ron DeSantis, at least when it comes to the maverick voters in the Live Free or Die state surveyed by the University of New Hampshire.

In October, just 3% of those planning to vote in the open Republican Primary in 2028 said they would support America’s Governor.

But the February survey shows DeSantis having surged to 6%.

He performs best with voters with high school educations or less, drawing 11% of that vote.

He’s also stronger with the lower middle class than with other demographics, getting 17% support among those making at least $45,000 but less than $75,000.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also rose in the estimation of Granite State voters, up from 5% to 7%. His strongest groups include Fox News viewers, college graduates, senior citizens and libertarians. He has at least 10% backing among those cohorts.

Vice President JD Vance dominates the field, with 53% support, 2 points up from the previous survey.

Arguably responsible for the rise: the collapse of Tulsi Gabbard, who fell from 8% support to 2% in this survey. Those voters had to go somewhere.

As a candidate, New Hampshire’s independent electorate, which is allowed to decide party interest on Election Day, bedeviled DeSantis at times before he left the 2024 race ahead of a Primary where he was headed for a drubbing.

He notably spent part of a town hall in January discussing book bans with a voter who said his sister had a friend who had to remove a Dr. Seuss book from a Florida library and thus would not vote for DeSantis.

He also had an endorsement rescinded by the owner of a country store in the state.

Addressing the New Hampshire GOP at the Amos Tuck Dinner, the Governor dealt with some women storming the stage chanting “Jews against DeSantis.”

President Donald Trump mocked DeSantis’ elevated shoes as well.