Poll: Trump Top Presidential Candidate Among S.C. Republicans

Observer Reports

A Winthrop poll released today finds support for former President Donald Trump’s run for president running high among registered South Carolina Republicans. Among the nine Republicans who have either announced a 2024 presidential run or who are viewed as potential contenders, Trump is on top with 41 percent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Haley are neck-and-neck with 20 percent and 18 percent respectively. United States Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., is a distant fourth. 

S.C. Republicans approval ratings among other elected officials include: U.S. President Joe Biden with 34 percent approval, 54 percent disapproval; S.C. Governor Henry McMaster with 45 percent approval, 35 percent disapproval; U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham with 33 percent approval, 47 percent disapproval; and U.S. Senator Scott with 47 percent approval, 25 percent disapproval. 

Nikki Haley remains favorable in the state with 53 percent expressing a favorable view, while 43 percent of South Carolinians express a favorable view of Donald Trump. Three-fourths of Republicans see both Haley and Trump as favorable. 

Opinions regarding the legalization of marijuana remain largely unchanged since the last Winthrop Poll with most South Carolinians favoring the legalization of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes. 

Concerning proposed laws banning public Drag Shows, a majority of Republicans support a ban while only 37 percent of the general public does. 

A majority of South Carolinians think same-sex marriage should be recognized by the law as valid with the same rights as a marriage between a man and a woman. 

South Carolinians were also asked about congressional redistricting, legalization of gambling on sports, monuments and memorials to Confederate soldiers who died, the Confederate battle flag, and Christianity in America.  

Other Findings

When asked how much they’ve heard about the debate over how congressional district boundaries are drawn in the state, most South Carolinians have heard very little if anything at all. Republicans are more likely to report hearing only a little or nothing at all than are Democrats. Only eight percent of Republicans have heard a lot about the debate while 23 percent of Democrats have heard as much. 

The majority of Democrats think that the current congressional redistricting process in South Carolina favors Republicans. Republicans, more often than not, also think the current process more so favors their own party, that the process is impartial, or aren’t sure or prefer not to answer. 

Most South Carolinians think the current congressional redistricting process does too little to see that Black South Carolinians are adequately represented. Republicans are more likely to say the process does the right amount while Democrats are more likely to coincide with the general consensus that it does too little. 

When it comes to how well the courts settle disputes regarding congressional districts, 43 percent of South Carolinians say they do a very good job or a good job. Thirty-one percent think the courts do a poor or very poor job in settling these disputes. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to express an opinion on the matter, but among the two parties, opinions by party generally reflect that of the whole. 

Almost half of South Carolinians have no opinion about how the congressional districts are drawn in the state. Between Republicans and Democrats, Republicans are more satisfied (33 percent) than are Democrats (25 percent) and Democrats much more dissatisfied (37 percent) than Republicans (13 percent). 

When asked if congressional redistricting should be done by the state legislature or by an independent commission, 49 percent of South Carolinians prefer an independent commission over the state legislature. Republicans and Democrats generally agree on the issue in preferring an independent commission draw the lines.  

Confederate Monuments, Memorials & Battle Flag

From a list of four options for what to do with monuments and memorials to Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War, the top two responses are to leave them just as they are (32 percent) and to leave them, but add a plaque or marker for context and historical interpretation (31 percent), closely followed by move them to a museum (25 percent). White respondents are more likely to want these monuments and memorials left just as they are (39 percent) while Black respondents are much more likely to suggest moving them to a museum (43 percent). Eighteen percent of Black respondents suggest removing them completely as opposed to only 4 percent of white respondents answering the same way. 

While South Carolinians are fairly split on their opinions of the Confederate battle flag, white South Carolinians more often say it is a symbol of Southern pride (37 percent) than it is racial conflict (25 percent) and Black South Carolinians the reverse – 66 percent stating it is more a symbol of racial conflict and 13 percent a symbol of Southern pride. 

Christianity & America

Half of South Carolinians disagree with the idea that the federal government should declare the U.S. a Christian nation. Just over half believe America holds a special place in God’s plan. When it comes to maintaining a separation of church and state, 66 percent agree that it is critical that our government maintain this separation. Thirty-eight percent of South Carolinians consider being a Christian an important aspect of being truly American while 47 percent do not. 

Full survey findings here.