ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Support for former President Donald Trump’s run for president is high among South Carolina Republican registered voters according to a Winthrop Poll released today. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are neck-and-neck for second place. US Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott trails behind.
Approval ratings among general population: President Joe Biden with 34% approval, 54% disapproval. SC Governor Henry McMaster with 45% approval, 35% disapproval. US Senator Lindsey Graham with 33% approval, 47% disapproval. US Senator Tim Scott with 47% approval, 25% disapproval.
Favorability ratings among general population: Nikki Haley remains favorable in the state with 53% expressing a favorable view. Forty-three 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% 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.
The majority of South Carolinians disapprove of the way President Biden is handling his job as president with 54% expressing disapproval and 34% expressing approval. This is notably below his national approval rating of 42%. Among Republicans, approval sinks to 7% while disapproval is high at 89%. Democrats differ greatly with 75% approving of the way the President is handling his job and 12% disapproving. According to Winthrop Poll Director, Dr. Scott Huffmon, “There is little surprise that Biden is less popular in a state where he lost by nearly 12 points in the last presidential election.”
More South Carolinians approve of the way Henry McMaster is handling his job as governor than not with 45% approving and 35% disapproving while 1 in 5 have no firm opinion. McMaster remains much more popular among his party than among Democrats in the state, but with more Republicans expressing approval than Democrats expressing disapproval. Republican approval of the governor sits at an incredibly strong 72%.
When it comes to the way Lindsey Graham is handling his job as a US Senator for South Carolina, 33% of South Carolinians approve while 47% disapprove. While, like Biden and McMaster, Graham has more approval coming from within his own party, opinions are more closely split. According to Dr. Huffmon, “Senator Graham’s approval among the general public has continued to slide as his ties to Trump seem to strengthen. However, his approval among Republicans is solid even if not meteoric.”
Tim Scott remains more popular than not in the state, but a greater percentage of South Carolinians have no opinion about how he his handling his job as compared to his South Carolina colleague in the US Senate. Forty-seven percent approve, 25% disapprove, and 28% are not sure or prefer not to answer. Among Republicans, Scott’s approval remains high and disapproval low. Among Democrats, opinions are much more evenly split.
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 8% of Republicans have heard a lot about the debate while 23% 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% 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%) than are Democrats (25%) and Democrats much more dissatisfied (37%) than Republicans (13%).
When asked if congressional redistricting should be done by the state legislature or by an independent commission, 49% 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.
Winthrop Poll Director Huffmon notes, “With the redistricting process controlled by the Republican dominated legislature, Democrats feel at a distinct disadvantage. Republicans tend to see fewer problems with the system and are less engaged with the topic.”
Support for Trump’s run for president is high among South Carolina Republicans who are registered to vote. Among nine Republicans who have either announced a 2024 presidential run or who are viewed as potential contenders, Trump is on top with 41%. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Haley are neck-and-neck with 20% and 18% respectively.
Huffmon notes, “Trump is riding high and doubling support over the next candidate in the field. Haley shows more than quadruple her support compared to national polls, but that should be expected on her home turf. While DeSantis is viewed as the singular alternative to Trump in national polls, the real story here is that Haley and DeSantis are in a statistical dead heat in what could be a firewall for Haley when voting rolls around.”
Seven percent of South Carolinians support a presidential nomination for US Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott when presented the list of 9 possibilities. Five percent support former Vice President Mike Pence, 2% support former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and 1% support New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. Others listed were former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Virginian Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Overall, Haley remains favorable in the state of South Carolina. Fifty-three percent of South Carolinians stated their view of the former Governor and Ambassador to the United Nations as very or somewhat favorable. Thirty percent have a very or somewhat unfavorable view of her and 15% are on the fence. Among Republicans, 73% view Haley as favorable and only 14% have an unfavorable view. Forty percent of Democrats have a favorable opinion of her while 47% have an unfavorable view.
When it comes to Trump, 43% of South Carolinians have a favorable view and 48% an unfavorable one. The former President remains much more favorable in his own party with almost three-quarters holding a favorable view as compared to 17% an unfavorable one. Conversely, three-quarters of Democrats express an unfavorable view of Trump while 19% view him favorably.
The legalization of medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor remains popular in South Carolina. Seventy-six percent favor its legalization while 14% oppose. Republicans and Democrats generally agree on the topic.
According to Huffmon, “Support for medical marijuana in South Carolina has steadily grown over the years, especially as other states have moved towards legalization without an apparent collapse of society.”
When it comes to the recreational use of marijuana, while the two parties differ, a majority (56%) of the general population supports its legalization. Republicans are split on the issue while Democrats are in favor.
Fifty percent of South Carolinians favor a law legalizing gambling on sports in the state. Of Republicans, 44% favor such a law while 39% oppose it. Among Democrats, 58% favor while 29% stand in opposition.
Several states across the country have proposed laws to ban public Drag Shows. More South Carolinians oppose a ban of public Drag Shows than favor it. Forty-seven percent oppose a law to ban public Drag Shows while 37% support such a ban. Republicans and Democrats differ on the issue with a majority of Republicans in support of a ban and a majority of Democrats in opposition.
Notes Huffmon, “While a bare majority of Republicans favor such a ban, this issue doesn’t seem to be a priority for South Carolinians. The groups and individuals calling for a ‘Drag Ban’ are certainly vocal, but it appears they are not representative of the majority of the South Carolina public.”
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%) and to leave them, but add a plaque or marker for context and historical interpretation (31%), closely followed by move them to a museum (25%). White respondents are more likely to want these monuments and memorials left just as they are (39%) while Black respondents are much more likely to suggest moving them to a museum (43%). Eighteen percent of Black respondents suggest removing them completely as opposed to only 4% 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%) than it is racial conflict (25%) and Black South Carolinians the reverse – 66% stating it is more a symbol of racial conflict and 13% a symbol of Southern pride.
A majority of South Carolinians think marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized as valid with the same rights as a marriage between a man and a woman. Among Republicans, 37% think same-sex marriages should be recognized as valid and 51% say it should not. A strong majority of Democrats think same-sex marriage should be recognized as valid with 71% saying they should and 19% saying they should not.
According to Huffmon, “In writing his concurring opinion in the Dobbs case, which sent authority over abortion back to the states, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas noted that the case that nationalized protection for same sex marriage should be revisited. This has made state by state opinions on same sex marriage relevant again.”
Half of South Carolinians disagree with the idea that the federal government should declare the US 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% 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% do not.
For additional information, or to set up an interview with Poll Director Scott Huffmon, please contact Judy Longshaw at longshawj@winthrop.edu or 803/323-2404 (office) or 803/984-0586 (cell).
RESULTS MAY NOT SUM TO 100 DUE TO ROUNDING
Demographics:
|
Census |
April 2023 Winthrop Poll |
|
|
Male |
47.9759 |
47.0 |
|
Female |
52.0241 |
51.3 |
|
Other/Ref |
1.3 |
|
|
|
||
|
White |
65.955 |
66.5 |
|
Black |
25.262 |
24.4 |
|
Other |
8.783 |
8.1 |
|
Refused |
1.0 |
|
|
|
||
|
18-24 |
11.4038 |
12.2 |
|
25-44 |
32.2448 |
32.6 |
|
45-64 |
32.628 |
32.2 |
|
65+ |
23.7234 |
23.0 |
TABLE 1: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Joe Biden is handling his job as President of the United States?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Approve |
34 |
7 |
75 |
|
Disapprove |
54 |
89 |
12 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
13 |
4 |
13 |
TABLE 2: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Henry McMaster is handling his job as Governor of South Carolina?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Approve |
45 |
72 |
30 |
|
Disapprove |
35 |
12 |
55 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
20 |
16 |
15 |
TABLE 3: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Lindsey Graham is handling his job as a United States Senator for South Carolina?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Approve |
33 |
54 |
24 |
|
Disapprove |
47 |
27 |
65 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
20 |
19 |
11 |
TABLE 4: As you may know, states with more than one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives redraw their district boundaries from time to time. How much, if anything, have you heard or read about the debate over how these boundaries were drawn in South Carolina—a lot, a little, or nothing at all?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
A lot |
13 |
8 |
23 |
|
A little |
45 |
47 |
42 |
|
Nothing at all |
40 |
44 |
33 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
2 |
1 |
2 |
TABLE 5: Do you think the current congressional redistricting process in South Carolina generally favors Democrats, generally favors Republicans, or does not favor one party over the other?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Favors Democrats |
17 |
18 |
26 |
|
Favors Republicans |
37 |
27 |
51 |
|
Does not favor one party over the other |
23 |
26 |
11 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
23 |
29 |
11 |
TABLE 6: Do you think the current congressional redistricting process in South Carolina does too much, too little, or the right amount to see that Black South Carolinians are adequately represented?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Too much |
9 |
11 |
10 |
|
Too little |
41 |
18 |
63 |
|
The right amount |
26 |
42 |
14 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
24 |
29 |
13 |
TABLE 7: Occasionally the courts have to settle disputes about redistricting. In deciding questions about congressional districts, do you think that courts in South Carolina do a very good job, a good job, a poor job or a very poor job?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very good job |
7 |
5 |
13 |
|
Good job |
36 |
49 |
28 |
|
Poor job |
23 |
14 |
31 |
|
Very poor job |
8 |
5 |
10 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
25 |
28 |
19 |
TABLE 8: Just in your opinion, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way congressional district lines are drawn in South Carolina, or do you not have an opinion about it?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Satisfied |
24 |
33 |
25 |
|
Dissatisfied |
26 |
13 |
37 |
|
No opinion |
49 |
53 |
37 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
1 |
1 |
1 |
TABLE 9: Would you prefer that congressional redistricting in South Carolina was done by the state legislature OR by an independent commission?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
State Legislature |
29 |
37 |
30 |
|
Independent Commission |
49 |
39 |
53 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
23 |
25 |
17 |
TABLE 10: Here is a list of people who may be running for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. Please indicate which ONE of the following candidates you would be most likely to support for the Republican nomination for president in 2024, or if you would support someone else?
[Only self-identified Republicans who were also registered to vote appear below. For this table the margin of error is +/- 4.45%. Names were randomized in the survey.]
|
|
Republicans who are registered to vote |
|
Former President Donald Trump |
41 |
|
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis |
20 |
|
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley |
18 |
|
Former Vice President Mike Pence |
5 |
|
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott |
7 |
|
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu |
1 |
|
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson |
0 |
|
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo |
2 |
|
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin |
-- |
|
Someone else |
2 |
|
No opinion |
4 |
|
Refused |
1 |
Questions on Tim Scott Job Approval and Favorability for Haley and Trump were asked AFTER the question about preference for GOP 2024 Presidential Nominee so that their names would not be “primed” in the minds of Republicans who answered the GOP 2024 Presidential Nomination question.
TABLE 11: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Tim Scott is handling his job as a United States Senator for South Carolina?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Approve |
47 |
69 |
33 |
|
Disapprove |
25 |
8 |
45 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
28 |
23 |
23 |
TABLE 12: Would you say that your view of former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley is…
|
|
All Respondents |
Combined |
|
Very Favorable |
25 |
53 |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
28 |
|
|
Neither |
15 |
15 |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
16 |
30 |
|
Very Unfavorable |
14 |
|
|
Prefer not to answer |
3 |
3 |
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very Favorable |
40 |
18 |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
33 |
22 |
|
Neither |
11 |
12 |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
8 |
22 |
|
Very Unfavorable |
6 |
25 |
|
Prefer not to answer |
2 |
1 |
TABLE 13: Would you say that your view of Donald Trump is…
|
|
All Respondents |
Combined |
|
Very Favorable |
24 |
43 |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
19 |
|
|
Neither |
8 |
8 |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
11 |
48 |
|
Very Unfavorable |
37 |
|
|
Prefer not to answer |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Very Favorable |
45 |
11 |
|
Somewhat Favorable |
29 |
8 |
|
Neither |
8 |
5 |
|
Somewhat Unfavorable |
9 |
10 |
|
Very Unfavorable |
8 |
66 |
|
Prefer not to answer |
1 |
0 |
TABLE 14: Would you favor or oppose a law legalizing medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Favor |
76 |
72 |
80 |
|
Oppose |
14 |
17 |
12 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
10 |
11 |
9 |
TABLE 15: Would you favor or oppose a law legalizing the recreational use of marijuana?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Favor |
56 |
45 |
62 |
|
Oppose |
34 |
45 |
26 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
11 |
11 |
12 |
TABLE 16: Would you favor or oppose a law legalizing gambling on sports in the state of South Carolina?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Favor |
50 |
44 |
58 |
|
Oppose |
33 |
39 |
29 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
16 |
17 |
14 |
TABLE 17: Several states have proposed laws to ban public ‘Drag Shows,’ a form of entertainment which involves performers impersonating men or women. Would you support or oppose such a ban in South Carolina?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Support |
37 |
51 |
30 |
|
Oppose |
47 |
33 |
57 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
16 |
17 |
13 |
TABLE 18: Which of the following comes closest to your opinion about what to do with monuments or memorials to Confederate soldiers who died during the Civil War?
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
|
Leave them just as they are |
32 |
39 |
14 |
|
Leave them, but add a plaque or marker for context and historical interpretation |
31 |
35 |
19 |
|
Move them to a museum |
25 |
19 |
43 |
|
Remove them completely |
8 |
4 |
18 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
4 |
4 |
6 |
TABLE 19: Some people say the confederate battle flag reminds them of white supremacy and racial conflict. Other people say the confederate battle flag is a symbol of southern heritage and pride.
Do you think the flag is more a symbol of racial conflict or of southern pride?
|
|
All Respondents |
White Respondents |
Black Respondents |
|
Racial Conflict |
35 |
25 |
66 |
|
Southern Pride |
37 |
48 |
13 |
|
Equally Both |
20 |
20 |
17 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
8 |
8 |
4 |
TABLE 20: Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as a marriage between a man and a woman?
|
|
All Respondents |
Republicans (not including leaners) |
Democrats (not including leaners) |
|
Yes, should be recognized as valid |
56 |
37 |
71 |
|
No, should not be recognized as valid |
32 |
51 |
19 |
|
Not sure/Refused |
12 |
12 |
10 |
For these next questions, we want you to tell us whether you strongly disagree, disagree, are undecided, agree, or strongly agree with each statement.
TABLE 21: The federal government should declare the United States a Christian nation.
|
|
All Respondents |
|
Strongly Disagree |
25 |
|
Disagree |
25 |
|
Undecided |
18 |
|
Agree |
16 |
|
Strongly Agree |
13 |
|
Refused |
3 |
TABLE 22: America holds a special place in God's plan.
|
|
All Respondents |
|
Strongly Disagree |
15 |
|
Disagree |
13 |
|
Undecided |
18 |
|
Agree |
30 |
|
Strongly Agree |
22 |
|
Refused |
3 |
TABLE 23: It is critical that our government maintains a separation of church and state.
|
|
All Respondents |
|
Strongly Disagree |
6 |
|
Disagree |
11 |
|
Undecided |
13 |
|
Agree |
31 |
|
Strongly Agree |
35 |
|
Refused |
3 |
TABLE 24: I consider being a Christian an important aspect of being truly American.
|
|
All Respondents |
|
Strongly Disagree |
21 |
|
Disagree |
26 |
|
Undecided |
13 |
|
Agree |
22 |
|
Strongly Agree |
16 |
|
Refused |
3 |
