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%