New York Post
Former President Donald Trump ran away with a presidential straw poll taken at the Conservative Political Action Conference over the weekend, easily distancing himself from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was runner-up.
Trump, who delivered the keynote address to top off the three-day conference in Dallas, got the support of 70 percent of CPAC attendees in the informal presidential nominee poll, while DeSantis came in a distant second place with 21 percent.
No one else got more than 1 percent in the poll released Sunday.
“I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your incredible support,” Trump told the adoring crowd during his speech.
Trump, who has hinted at another presidential run in 2024, sidestepped a question about whether he would throw his hat in the ring during an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“I do know my answer, but I can’t reveal it yet, because that has to do with campaign financing and everything else,” Trump said.
“So I can’t reveal it yet. But I absolutely know my answer. And we’re going to do very well. And people are going to be very happy,” he added.
Trump extended his lead over DeSantis after being the top choice of CPAC attendees at the Orlando conference in February, with 55 percent support.
In that one, the governor also finished second with 21 percent.
But DeSantis topped Trump — 74 percent to 71 percent — in a poll conducted last month at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver.
DeSantis has seen his profile rise among Republicans in the past year as he has bucked many coronavirus restrictions in the Sunshine State and for speaking out against critical race theory and censorship by big tech.
Trump backed DeSantis when the then-congressman ran for governor in 2018.
This Story First Appeared At The New York Post
