Jeb Bush faces a long, tough sell in winning over conservatives who vote in the Republican presidential primary, according to a new poll released Sunday.
Just 49% of Republicans say they can see themselves voting for the former Florida governor for president, while 42% say they cannot, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey found.
Only three other potential 2016 candidates drew more skepticism than Bush. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham had 20% who said they could support him versus 51% said they couldn’t; New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, had 32% open to backing him and 57% not; and Donald Trump, had 23% of Republicans open to backing him and 74% not.
The results highlight the challenges that Bush has faced in growing from the favorite of establishment Republicans and top donors, who have largely rallied to back him, to become the candidate favored by rank-and-file conservatives.
Making that more difficult for Bush are alternatives like Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, whose battles with labor unions and electoral success in a traditionally Democratic-leaning state have lent his appeal breadth across the entire GOP.
The poll’s margin of error was 3.1%. The full results are due to be released at 6:30 p.m. Monday.