Special Poll
Biden Gains Unexpected Republican Allies in Potential Showdown with Trump
In a surprising twist, President Biden’s campaign for reelection might receive support from a group traditionally seen as opponents: Republicans. A number of Republicans, including those who previously worked under the Trump administration, are openly expressing their preference for Biden over Trump in a potential general election rematch. Their primary concern is the perceived threat Trump poses to American democracy.
Sarah Matthews, a former press aide for Trump’s 2020 campaign and White House staffer who resigned on January 6, 2021, shared her stance with The Hill: “I’ve never voted for a Democrat, but I would support Biden over Trump if he’s the GOP nominee. I cannot back someone who disrupted a peaceful transfer of power and incited an attack on the U.S. Capitol.”
This sentiment is echoed in recent polling, which indicates a significant number of Nikki Haley’s supporters in the Iowa caucuses would also prefer Biden over Trump in a general election. This cross-party support could be a crucial factor in November, especially if Republicans skeptical of Trump choose to back Biden, potentially tipping the scales in a tight race.
National and swing state polls show a close contest, with Trump leading Biden by a narrow margin in some key states. Political strategists believe the upcoming election will hinge on which candidate can more effectively mobilize their base, given the limited number of swing voters.
Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for Biden’s campaign, highlighted Biden’s unifying approach: “President Biden ran to unite the country and has governed for all Americans. We welcome support from anyone concerned about the existential threat posed by Trump and extremists to our freedom and democracy.”
Despite some GOP voters holding out hope for Haley’s nomination, Trump’s strong performance in Iowa and solid polling in early primary states suggest he is likely to be the GOP nominee.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), a vocal critic of Trump and a member of the House committee investigating January 6, expressed his clear preference for Biden over Trump on CNN: “If it’s Biden against Trump, there’s no question who I would support. I believe in America more than the Republican Party.” Kinzinger affirmed he would choose Biden “in a heartbeat,” without any hesitation.