DeSantis leads – A new Florida survey finds Gov. Ron DeSantis outperforming Donald Trump overall, with a striking edge among Independents—an early signal for 2024-style GOP politics in a key swing state.
Florida’s presidential race calculations are being shaped at the governor level, not just the White House. A new survey from Misryoum indicates Gov. Ron DeSantis is viewed more favorably than Donald Trump—especially by Independents.
The numbers show a clear hierarchy of approval among likely voters.. Trump earns 51% approval, with 32% saying they strongly approve and 19% somewhat.. DeSantis lands higher at 59% overall approval, including 34% strongly and 25% somewhat.. The gap matters because it suggests the state’s political center of gravity still looks toward Tallahassee when voters weigh who feels most in step with their priorities.
Partisan lines in the poll are wide, and they help explain why the overall standings look the way they do.. Among Republicans, 82% approve of Trump, while only 18% approve of Democrats.. For DeSantis, the pattern is similar: his standing rises with Republican voters and holds lower with Democrats.. That means the real test is not base support—it’s whether a candidate can keep enough of the nonpartisan and persuadable vote.
With Independents, DeSantis pulls away.. Trump is 35 points underwater among that group, with 68% disapproving and far fewer approving.. DeSantis is notably higher with Independents, registering 54% approval and 46% disapproval, an +8 margin.. In practical terms. that’s the difference between a candidate who energizes partisans and one who can also win the “leaners” who decide elections when margins tighten.
Why would a governor with less national exposure outperform a former President who is actively competing for attention?. For Florida, the answer often comes down to proximity and perception of performance.. Governors govern the day-to-day realities that show up quickly in voters’ lives—policies that affect schools. public safety. hurricanes. insurance. and state-level regulation.. When voters say they “like” their governor more than the president. it can reflect not just ideology. but the feeling that someone is dealing with problems closer to home.
This poll is also occurring in a moment when Florida politics is becoming more presidential in tone while still heavily grounded in state identity.. DeSantis’ advantage suggests that—even if the GOP’s national conversation has centered on Trump—Florida voters may still treat the governor as the more reliable brand for results.. That matters for party strategy because Independents in Florida are not a minor slice; they are often the margin. and they tend to respond to perceived competence as much as party loyalty.
The survey also notes that Trump’s approval stands at roughly an even split overall, with 49% disapproving.. That “near-even” environment is where campaigns can either stabilize support or lose it quickly to fatigue and dissatisfaction.. In contrast. DeSantis’ 59% approval indicates a sturdier ceiling—one that may give him more room to keep persuadable voters without needing constant persuasion.
Misryoum readers should treat the Independent gap as a strategic clue rather than a final verdict.. Polls reflect what people think at a particular moment. and voter judgments can shift with national headlines. economic pressure. and the tone of campaign messaging.. Still. the underlying story is consistent: Florida’s nonpartisan voters appear more comfortable with the figure they know and see in action. even as Donald Trump remains a major force in national politics.
There is also a political implication beneath the surface.. If DeSantis maintains higher favorability than Trump among Independents. it can shape how Florida Republicans think about messaging. candidate recruitment. and down-ballot races.. For now. the headline isn’t just that DeSantis is more popular—it’s that he is more persuasive to the voters who don’t start from a party position.