Former Vice President Mike Pence is viewed unfavorably by more than 40% of Republicans, heightening the bar that the candidate will have to surmount to win the party’s nomination for president. Pence’s high unfavorability ratings are among the highest of candidates running for the GOP nod.
A Morning Consult poll released this week showed former President Donald Trump with a significant lead over his Republican opponents.
In particular, Pence was rated poorly by 41% of Republicans, the second-highest among the field.
The only candidate that suffered higher unfavorability ratings among GOP voters was former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who was seen poorly by 45% of GOP voters.
Pence was seen positively by a plurality of Republicans, with 49% registering a favorable opinion. However, Pence’s unfavorability ratings increased by 2% from the previous week’s poll.
2024 National Republican Primary
• Trump — 59% (+43)
• DeSantis — 16%
• Ramaswamy — 8%
• Pence — 6%
• Haley — 3%
• Scott — 3%
• Christie — 3%
• Hutchinson — 1%Morning Consult | 3,486 RV | 08/04-06https://t.co/l71qO5QJDL pic.twitter.com/YTF1VknvmS
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) August 8, 2023
The former president appeared to enjoy a ratings boost due to the latest round of federal charges announced by special counsel Jack Smith. Among Republicans, Trump is rated positively by 81% of respondents, as compared to 71% in the previous week.
Furthermore, the former president also was rated negatively by just 17%, as compared to 26% in the last poll.
The poll’s main takeaway was Trump’s 43% lead over his next-closest opponent, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Trump tallied 59% to DeSantis’ 16%.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy polled third with 8%.
Pence was the only other candidate to draw significant support, showing 5% in the poll.
The poll also showed a potential issue for Pence should voters desire a change from either frontrunner. The former vice president was the second choice for just 13% of either Trump or DeSantis supporters.
Pence currently ranks at 5% in the RealClearPolitics polling average.
Pence’s increased negative ratings came after he criticized his former running mate, claiming that Trump was incorrect in the aftermath of the 2020 election.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that “Liddle’ Mike Pence” had joined “the Dark Side.” The former president said he “never told” Pence to “put me above the Constitution.”
He added that Pence was “not a very good person.”
