Republican Women give Trump strong support in straw poll at national convention

Former President Donald Trump captured 59% of the vote in a straw poll conducted over the weekend by the National Federation of Republican Women. The straw poll wrapped up the organization’s three-day convention in Oklahoma City.

Organizers said the event drew about 1,100 people. Of that number, 622 delegates participated in the poll, which was conducted from Thursday through Saturday.

Trump's support was solid, with 51% of those who participated in the poll saying they would definitely support the former president, while another 7% said they probably would. One percent said they were leaning toward Trump. Trump, who faces two federal indictments and state indictments in New York and Georgia, outpaced Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who placed second.

Seventeen percent of the NFRW delegates reported they were definitely voting for DeSantis, while 8% said they probably would vote for the Florida governor. About 1% reported they were leaning DeSantis’ way.

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Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador for the United Nations was a distant third. Haley received 8% of the vote. Trump, DeSantis and Haley were the top three candidates in the poll. Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, captured only 2% of the vote.

While the majority of straw polls are not scientific, they can provide insight into the views of those who take part. Most women in the NFRW are older than 45.

The results of the straw poll runs counter to one conducted by the Young Republican National Federation in August. That poll showed DeSantis with 36.6% of the vote and Trump a close second at 35.4%. However, a late August straw poll conducted at the Iowa State Fair showed Trump with 42% of the 4,700 who cast ballots. That poll showed DeSantis with 15.3% and Haley with about 4%.

Monica Folse, a NFRW delegate from Houma, Louisiana, said she supported Trump. Folse said she believed Trump would solve problems with immigration and improve the economy.

“He’ll put the economy right,” she said. “And the border, well it needs to be closed down and I’ll believe he will do that.”

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Melinda Daugherty, a delegate from Oklahoma City, said she supported Haley. “I like what she stands for,” Daugherty said.

Trump's support appears to mirror the concerns delegates had about the economy and other issues facing the country. Of the straw poll's voters, 78% said they felt more financially stressed than they did a year ago. Sixteen percent reported feeling ‘about the same’ financially. Only 5% said they felt less stressed.

Fifty-five percent said the most important issue in their choice for president was securing the southern border. The economy, inflation and concerns over China each pulled less than 10% of the votes cast.

Delegates also reported having more trust in the U.S. Supreme Court — 83% — than the U.S. Congress — about 38%. More than half the delegates — 56% — reported having "not too much trust or none" in the idea that future elections will be fairly decided.

Conducted by WPA Intelligence, the straw poll indicated that more than 63% of the delegates planned to volunteer more than they did in the 2020 election cycle.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Straw poll of GOP women: Trump clear favorite; DeSantis, Haley trail