Indian-American contender, Vivek Ramaswamy, of the United States presidential race, has emerged as a leading figure within the Republican ranks. As per recent polling data reported by US-based publication The Hill, he now shares second place with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
According to an Emerson College survey, both Ronald Dion DeSantis and Ramaswamy are currently at a 10 per cent approval rating, trailing behind the front-runner, former President Donald Trump, who maintains a commanding lead at 56 per cent.
The Emerson College Polling data highlights a notable shift in support, with DeSantis experiencing a substantial drop from his previous standing of 21 per cent, now aligning with Ramaswamy at 10 per cent. Remarkably, Ramaswamy’s popularity has surged from a mere 2 per cent, securing him the second spot.
Polling experts also discovered a degree of uncertainty within the supporters of DeSantis, as compared to the more steadfast backing observed among Ramaswamy’s advocates. The report from The Hill indicates that close to half of those who stand behind Ramaswamy expressed a definite commitment to vote for him, while only around a third of DeSantis’ supporters echoed the same level of certainty.
Contrastingly, over 80 per cent of Trump’s supporters affirmed their unwavering commitment to vote for the former president. The revelation of this poll coincides with the emergence of a leaked memo attributed to the super PAC “Never Back Down,” a strong proponent of DeSantis’ candidacy.
This memo reportedly urged DeSantis to adopt an aggressive stance against Ramaswamy, symbolised by the metaphorical suggestion to “take a sledgehammer” to his campaign, as highlighted by The Hill.
Spencer Kimball, the Executive Director of Emerson College Polling, highlighted noteworthy developments in Ramaswamy’s appeal. According to an official statement, Ramaswamy has notably enhanced his support among individuals possessing postgraduate degrees, securing the backing of 17 per cent within this demographic. Furthermore, he has garnered a notable 16 per cent approval from voters aged below 35, as detailed in the report.
The release also outlined a parallel between DeSantis’ decline and the results of Emerson’s New Hampshire poll. This particular poll indicated that former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, managed to surpass DeSantis by a mere 1 point for the second position in the state, effectively resulting in a statistical tie.
Among the specific shifts observed, DeSantis witnessed a notable decrease in his support among voters holding postgraduate qualifications, plummeting from 38 per cent in June to a mere 14 per cent in the current assessment. Additionally, he secured a mere 15 per cent approval from the demographic below the age of 35, as reported by The Hill.
With the 2024 US Presidential election campaigns in full swing, spectators in India are observing this political spectacle with heightened interest, largely due to the participation of Vivek Ramaswamy. Born in the US to Indian parents, Ramaswamy is striving to secure the Republican Party’s nomination for the upcoming election.
Although another candidate of Indian origin, Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and former American ambassador to the United Nations, is also in contention, it’s Ramaswamy who has garnered more widespread attention. Even notable entrepreneur Elon Musk chimed in, expressing his optimism about Ramaswamy’s potential in a recent tweet.
While Ramaswamy’s fervent efforts are evident, the likelihood of his victory in the 2024 presidential race remains slim. In reality, his prospects of securing the Republican Party’s nomination are also considerably limited. Former President Donald Trump overwhelmingly dominates opinion polls among Republican voters, leaving Ramaswamy trailing behind. However, there are select instances where he manages to secure second place, albeit still trailing Trump, reported money control.
Hailing from a Malayalee family with ancestral ties to Palakkad, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has garnered attention in the US presidential race. Notably, billionaire Elon Musk has previously voiced his endorsement for Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-origin candidate within the Republican Party.
Vivek’s family background is rooted in his father, Ramaswamy, who originates from Palakkad, and his mother, Geetha, who hails from Tripunithura. Their migration to the United States has set the stage for Vivek’s foray into American politics.
