Attendees at the Turning Point Action Conference overwhelmingly favored former President Donald Trump over any other candidate, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, according to a straw poll conducted at the Florida event.
The Trafalgar Group poll found that 87 percent of those in attendance favor Trump, and just 4.3 said that they prefer DeSantis — despite the event taking place in his state.
DeSantis did so poorly that he actually came in third, behind businessman Perry Johnson, who took 7.8 percent of the vote.
Attendees were also asked, "Who is your second pick for president from the GOP primary field?" Even though they were asked to choose someone different than their first choice, some people chose the same candidate, especially Trump supporters.
A whopping 51.2 percent said that their second choice would be Vivek Ramaswamy, 21.4 percent named Trump, and just 13.5 percent said DeSantis.
"Vivek really showed up this weekend and the Turning Point Action straw poll results prove it. 51% of respondents picked this man as their 2nd choice candidate," Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk tweeted. "Pretty remarkable how far he’s come in a very short amount of time." Vivek really showed up this weekend and the Turning Point Action straw poll results prove it. 51% of respondents picked this man as their 2nd choice candidate. Pretty remarkable how far he’s come in a very short amount of time. https://t.co/yJzke2HdA2
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 16, 2023
Attendees swarmed Ramaswamy after he spoke at the event. The former president also delivered a lengthy speech to attendees.
DeSantis did not attend.
Regarding vice presidential picks, Kari Lake came in with a strong first place and 30.8 percent of the vote, Congressman Byron Donalds took 24 percent, and 22.7 percent chose Ramaswamy. DeSantis came in fifth place, with 5.2 percent of the vote, after Senator Tim Scott's 6.9 percent.
When asked what the most important issues facing America are, attendees chose the southern border (23.9 percent), inflation and the economy (17.8 percent), voting integrity (13.3 percent), radical gender ideology and kids (10 percent), and the weaponized Department of Justice and intelligence agencies (8.9 percent).
Nearly all attendees, 95.8 percent, said that they do not support US involvement in the war in Ukraine.
