DeSantis could win Republican votes with Disney clash -Reuters/Ipsos poll

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ fight with Walt Disney Co over a state law limiting public school lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity may enhance his favor among Republican voters as he considers a White House run.

Since Disney’s former CEO opposed the Parental Rights in Education statute, sometimes known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law, DeSantis has been at odds with the firm.

Forty-four percent of Republican respondents in the two-day poll ended Tuesday said they had a more favorable view of DeSantis because of his fight with Disney, which led him to sign a retaliatory law in February to strip Disney of its self-governing authority at its Orlando-area parks.

However, it remained unclear if the fight would help DeSantis win the 2024 Republican presidential primary and challenge Democratic President Joe Biden.

Seventy-three percent of respondents, including 82% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans, said they were less likely to support a political candidate who supports legislation that punish companies for their political or cultural views.

Republicans reject teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, while Democrats support it. Independents split equally in the Reuters/Ipsos poll.

DeSantis trails Trump among Republican voters in polls.

DeSantis says he was correct to end Disney’s special treatment. 64% of Republicans in the Reuters/Ipsos poll agreed, with 37% backing with the huge majority of Democrats who claimed DeSantis was penalizing Disney for free speech. DeSantis’ actions also seemed harsh to independents.

DeSantis’ hard-right positions on abortion and guns may help him win Republican primary votes in early 2024, but they may cost him with independent and moderate voters he needs to win.

The Disney fight may be helping DeSantis gain national attention, with 54% of survey respondents following the story. Democrats were 55% less likely to visit Florida due to DeSantis’ actions, while Republicans were 31% more likely.

After Disney changed its special tax district deal to protect its self-governance, DeSantis promised more legislative action to rein in the entertainment company.

450 Democrats and 366 Republicans participated in the new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The credibility interval was roughly four percentage points.