A Monmouth University poll found that one-third of GOP voters saw Trump, who kicked off his campaign in November 2022, as their top presidential pick, and another third favored DeSantis, whose has yet to formally announce he is running.

Only 2% supported Former Vice President Mike Pence, while former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who is set to become the only other big-name Republican officially in the ring with Trump, earned just 1%.

Trump closed the gap with DeSantis from a similar poll back in December that put the Florida governor ahead by 13 points, with 39% support compared to 26% for the former president. Trump has since climbed 7 points, and DeSantis has fallen 6 points.

Despite the uptick in voters supporting Trump for the GOP nomination, DeSantis takes the win in a hypothetical primary match-up between the two, earning 53% to Trump´s 40%.

“Both Trump and DeSantis are well-liked by the party’s rank and file, but it is likely voter opinion of more firmly set than it is for DeSantis right now. The unknown factor is whether DeSantis can maintain this early edge if and when he gets on the campaign trail,” Monmouth University Polling Institute Director Patrick Murray said in a report.

Taken Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, the Monmouth poll surveyed 566 voters who identify with or lean toward the Republican Party. The margin of error was plus or minus 6.1%.

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