Although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not formally declared his intent to run for president, he is already testing messages with Republican activists in Iowa.

A survey distributed to Iowans via text shows the governor’s team searching for points that could persuade GOP caucus-goers, not only highlighting what DeSantis has done in office—the focus of his remarks in Davenport and Des Moines on March 10— but also his military service and relative youth compared to former President Donald Trump.

Hundreds of Iowa Republicans came out to hear the Florida governor talk up his approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, education, and law enforcement, among other topics. Governor Kim Reynolds introduced him at both events and stayed on stage for an “interview-style discussion.”

Reynolds has promised to remain neutral in the presidential race prior to the 2024 caucuses, but the Des Moines Register’s Brianne Pfannenstiel observed that the events with DeSantis on March 10 were “the most involved appearances she’s made for a declared or potential presidential candidate so far this year.”

A new Iowa Poll by Selzer & Co for the Des Moines Register and Mediacom echoes recent national polling, which has indicated Florida’s governor is the strongest potential Republican competitor to Trump.

Selzer found that among self-identified Republicans in this state, 42 percent have “very favorable” feelings about DeSantis, and 33 percent have a “mostly favorable” view of him. That was almost on par with Trump’s numbers (44 percent very favorable, 36 percent mostly favorable). Former Vice President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley were far behind.

Bleeding Heartland obtained the full questionnaire of a poll an Iowan received this week via text link. I have not altered the wording or question order.

It’s not clear whether the survey was designed to reach a representative sample of prospective caucus-goers or (more likely) went out to phone numbers collected in some other way, such as by purchasing lists from past Republican campaigns.

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As you may know, the presidential preference caucuses are held on a Monday night in January beginning at 7PM in neighborhood gyms, schools, churches, public libraries, or even households. People gather for several hours to listen to political speeches and then cast their vote for a presidential candidate. Please rate your likelihood to participate in the Republican Presidential Caucus in Iowa in 2024. 

• Definitely going to participate
• Almost definitely going to participate
• Probably going to participate
• Unlikely to participate
• Unsure

Thinking again about the Republican caucuses for President. If the election were held today, for whom would you vote? 

• Donald Trump
• Ron DeSantis
• Mike Pence
• Nikki Haley
• Tim Scott
• Liz Cheney
• Someone Else
• Unsure

If you had to decide today, who would you say you lean toward voting for in the Republican caucuses for President? 

• Donald Trump
• Ron DeSantis
• Mike Pence
• Nikki Haley
• Tim Scott
• Liz Cheney
• Someone Else
• Unsure

Thinking again about the Republican primary election for President if the election were held today, for whom would you vote for as your second choice? 

• Donald Trump
• Ron DeSantis
• Mike Pence
• Nikki Haley
• Tim Scott
• Someone Else
• Unsure

Thinking about the upcoming Republican primary election for President, how likely is it that you would consider voting for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis? 

• Definitely consider voting for
• Probably consider voting for
• Lean towards considering to vote for
• Lean towards not considering to vote for
• Probably not consider voting for
• Would never vote for

Thinking about the upcoming Republican primary election for President, how likely is it that you would consider voting for former President Donald Trump? 

• Definitely consider voting for
• Probably consider voting for
• Lean towards considering to vote for
• Lean towards not considering to vote for
• Probably not consider voting for
• Would never vote for

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis showed strong leadership with his hands-on response. At his direction, critical infrastructure, like bridges, were rebuilt in record time and relief reached those in need quickly.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

Governor DeSantis fought back against Dr. Fauci’s COVID mandates and Florida was one of the fastest states to open businesses and to get children back into the classroom.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis worked to make sure that first responders and health care workers could not be fired for opting out of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passed the Stop WOKE Act which eliminates the teaching of Critical Race Theory in classrooms and corporate trainings.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stood up to liberal executives at Disney and eliminated the woke corporation’s special tax district, ensuring that Disney pays their fair share and stops taking advantage of Florida taxpayers.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is a winner who has never lost an election and won his re-election as Governor by the largest margin in close to 50 years. A younger candidate like DeSantis is the best chance to beat an 81 year old Biden in the 2024 Presidential election.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

After college, Governor Ron DeSantis earned a commission in the U.S. Navy and was deployed to Iraq where he served as an advisor to a U.S. Navy SEAL team. During his time in the military, DeSantis earned the Bronze Star and the Iraq Campaign Medal.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis worked to provide protections for parents by enforcing parents’ rights over the education of their children. DeSantis was the first governor to stop the sexualizing of children by transgender activists that has been occurring in other states.

Does knowing this make you more or less likely to vote for Ron DeSantis in the upcoming Republican primary election for President? 

• Much More likely
• Somewhat More Likely
• Somewhat Less likely
• Much Less Likely
• Unsure

Thank you, we have just a few more questions for verification purposes…

In what year were you born? (Enter four digit year of birth, if “REFUSED” enter “1900”) 

• year of birth: 

(Calculated, not asked) Age – Field for output 

• 18 to 24
• 25 to 34
• 35 to 44
• 45 to 54
• 55 to 64
• 65 to 74
• 75 or Over
• Refused

Lastly, what is your gender? 

• Male
• Female

• Thank you for your time! That’s all we have for today!

Did you participate in an Iowa political survey online or by phone? Share your notes, screenshots, or recordings confidentially with Laura Belin. Bleeding Heartland will not identify respondents or publish their answers—just the survey questions.

Top photo of Governor Kim Reynolds and Governor Ron DeSantis first published on Reynolds’ political Facebook page on March 10.