Mike Pence joins US Presidential race; expanding GOP field may favour Trump

Experts believe the sheer number of anti-Trump candidates could cancel each other out

ITDC INIDA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS:  With former US vice-president Mike Pence filing paperwork declaring his campaign for President in 2024, the groundwork has been laid for a crowded GOP Presidential race, though the primaries are nearly a year away.

The GOP field is already big enough with seven candidates; former President Donald Trump and his once-protege Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerging frontrunners, but more - former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum- are likely to join the fray this week.

While a section of political analysts opine that a bigger Republican field hints at the different directions the party is taking, the scenario may come to favour Trump since the sheer number of candidates could cancel each other out.

Of the seven candidates, excluding Pence, Donald Trump is a clear forerunner with 53% support. That’s up from 48% in early May, said Yahoo News/YouGov poll survey.