DeSantis Edges out Trump in Shock Poll: Still Pays $450

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis still pays $450 for every $100 bet to become the Republican nominee for US President in 2024 with the second shortest odds after the former President, Donald J. Trump (listed at 2-1 odds as of June 22, 2021).

DeSantis edged out ​Trump as conservatives’ choice for president in 2024 in a straw poll conducted over the weekend at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver.

DeSantis pulled in 74 percent approval to Trump’s 71 percent in the poll.

The Florida Governor has been widely hailed in Republican circles for his handling of the Coronavirus pandemic in his state. Following some state mandated shutdowns during a summer surge, DeSantis opted to open up the economy and vowed no more shutdowns.

“We will never do any of these lockdowns again,” DeSantis said in September. 

The result, a surge of folks flowing into the Sunshine State from all over the country, thus boosting the critical hospitality sector.  Covid cases, while still high, were lower than in some states that imposed more onerous restrictions.

By the end of the month, DeSantis lifted the last of the coronavirus restrictions. He also banned cities and counties from enforcing mask mandates.

Morning's Joe's Joe Scarborough, a former Republican Congressman, claimed Tuesday morning that many of his friends in attendance at this past weekend's conference were of the belief that the party had itself a new leader.

After discussing the crowd's "respected but muted" reaction to former Vice President Mike Pence, once considered a golden child among conservatives, Scarborough immediately shifted to the big news that came out of the weekend's Summit.

"But, my God, you should have seen the response for Ron DeSantis."

He added: "He was like a conquering king."

The Morning Joe co-host noted that the person who relayed this information has been involved in Republican politics for nearly 45 years, claiming the individual "hadn't seen anything like this since Reagan in '80". 

Scarborough also referred to the betting sites, some of which now had DeSantis ahead of Trump.

Three polls of likely Florida voters conducted last month show DeSantis' approval hovering between 53 and 55 percent.  The Florida Chamber of Commerce poll had him at 55% while he had a 60 percent job approval rating in a survey conducted by well-known Republican pollster Ryan Tyson for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

The Chamber poll also showed DeSantis with double-digit leads in head-to-head matchups with U.S. Reps. Val Demings and one-time Republican Governor Charlie Crist as well as Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, all of whom announced their intention to run for Florida Governor on the Democratic ticket.

Current 2024 Republican President Nominee Odds

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com