Monthly Polling Results

October 2023

October 31, 2023

SBIQ:
Current Conditions Rating:
Future Expectations Rating:

Topline Result: 61% for Trump; 28% for Biden

Washington, D.C. (November 21, 2023)—Today, the Job Creators Network Foundation (JCNF) released a special October edition of its Small Business IQ Poll of 400 small business employers. This month’s poll only surveys small business owners in states with primary elections or caucuses held on or before Super Tuesday (March 5). The topline finding: 61 percent of respondents believe Donald Trump would do most to help Main Street while 28 percent say the same for Joe Biden.

When siloed by political affiliation and asked the same question, both Trump (55 percent) and Biden (51 percent) ran away with the win in their respective primaries or caucuses. The next closest candidates are Ron DeSantis (13 percent) and Robert F. Kennedy (22 percent). (The poll was taken before Kennedy switched his affiliation to “independent.”)

The popularity of each candidate among small employers is linked to policy preferences that align with the JCN American Small Business Prosperity Plan. It’s an eight-point policy blueprint to empower Main Street. For example, roughly 8 in 10 respondents are more likely to get behind a presidential candidate who supports reining in spending to reduce inflation, making it easier for small businesses to raise capital, and making provisions within the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent.

View more polling and crosstabs here.

Elaine Parker, President of the Job Creators Network Foundation, released the following statement:

“Given small business owners are the drivers of the U.S. economy, their attitudes towards politicians are an important indicator to pay attention to. Entrepreneurs are more likely to support candidates they believe will boost job creation, pursue smart fiscal policies to improve economic conditions, and avoid strangling the private sector with government red tape. And when looking at this polling of who small businesses support, it’s not even a competition. Trump is beating Biden by a 2 to 1 margin.”

Poll Results:

How would you grade Joe Biden’s job performance helping small businesses?

A-Grade	9%
B-Grade	15%
C-Grade	21%
D-Grade	16%
F-Grade	35%

Are presidential candidates talking enough about small businesses and policies they support to help small businesses?

Yes	17%
No	67%
Unsure	16%

Which general election candidate for president would do the most to help small businesses?

Donald Trump	61%
Joe Biden	28%
Undecided	11%

Which Republican primary candidate for president would do the most to help small businesses?

Donald Trump	55%
Ron DeSantis	13%
Vivek Ramaswamy	7%
Nikki Haley	6%
Mike Pence	3%
Chris Christie	2%
Tim Scott	1%
Undecided	13%

Which Democratic primary candidate for president would do the most to help small businesses?

Joe Biden	51%
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.	22%
Marianne Williamson	6%
Undecided	22%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who supports linking work requirements to government assistance programs like welfare and food stamps?

More Likely	69%
Less Likely	23%
No Difference	8%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who supports cutting regulations and pursuing other policies that would help American businesses better compete against foreign companies?

More Likely	75%
Less Likely	13%
No Difference	12%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who supports lifting government regulations to foster more competition in healthcare and lower patient costs?

More Likely	78%
Less Likely	13%
No Difference	9%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who supports increasing domestic energy production to increase supply and lower prices?

More Likely	78%
Less Likely	15%
No Difference	7%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who supports exempting small businesses from any new government regulations that would burden entrepreneurs with increased compliance costs?

More Likely	79%
Less Likely	15%
No Difference	6%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who wants to make tax cuts permanent?

More Likely	80%
Less Likely	12%
No Difference	8%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who makes it easier for small businesses to raise capital, like getting a loan or a line of credit?

More Likely	81%
Less Likely	12%
No Difference	7%

How likely are you to support a presidential candidate who supports balancing the federal budget to rein-in spending and reduce inflation?

More Likely	82%
Less Likely	9%
No Difference	9%