Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is increasing his numbers in national polls, moving closer to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis continues to hold a second-place position in polls, with former President Donald Trump holding a strong lead.

Vivek Ramaswamy makes progress on closing gap with Ron DeSantis: Poll https://t.co/PS53MbfjOk

— USACitizen/Stand With 🇺🇦 (@VCalingcourt) July 5, 2023

The shift

"Ramaswamy is now polling at 10%, according to Echelon Insights, while DeSantis’s popularity decreased from 19% to 16% between May and June," the Washington Examiner reported.

"The governor's drop in support left a six-point gap between the two candidates. Before the new data, Ramaswamy was at eight percent," it added.

2024 National Republican Primary

Trump 49% (=)
DeSantis 16% (-3 from May)
Ramaswamy 10% (+2)
Pence 5% (-4)
Haley 5% (=)
T. Scott 4% (+2)
Christie 2% (+1)
Suarez 1%
Burgum 1%

2-Way:
Trump 60% (+1)
DeSantis 32% (-2)

Echelon (A/B) | LVs | June 26-29https://t.co/R5gZx6yEPv pic.twitter.com/g6qX5bKHIr

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) July 4, 2023

The details

The Echelon poll from the last week of June showed Trump at 49%, with DeSantis remaining in second place at 16%.

Ramaswamy reached double digits at 10%, ranking third and passing former President Mike Pence and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, both at 5%.

Our kids shouldn’t be held hostage by teachers unions. If you’re a public school teacher, who exactly are you unionizing against? Answer: the very students and families you serve. I will shut down the US Department of Education and distribute the savings to the states to close… pic.twitter.com/iRn0ksf2rF

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) July 5, 2023

Going on the offense

"Our kids shouldn’t be held hostage by teachers unions. If you’re a public school teacher, who exactly are you unionizing against? Answer: the very students and families you serve," the GOP hopeful said during a recent Fox News interview.

"I will shut down the US Department of Education and distribute the savings to the states to close school choice funding gaps. Wasted overhead costs at public schools should go back in the pockets of parents. We can restore achievement with reforms, but they must be sweeping," he added.

Ramaswamy lacks the political experience of many candidates but has been strong as a successful business leader and articulate speaker on the issues of importance facing Americans.

His no-nonsense attitude has earned the attention of many who were previously unfamiliar with his views, opening a new opportunity for Ramaswamy in the early stages of the primary race.

Trump still dominates the polls but Ramaswamy's energy is growing with much time remaining before the first primaries next year.