Tim Scott is gaining on Ron DeSantis for the No. 2 spot behind Donald Trump according to new poll showing only a five percent difference between the two 2024 presidential hopefuls in Iowa

Senator Tim Scott beats Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the battle for second place in Iowa, a new poll shows.

A Fox Business survey released Sunday shows former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the GOP field — backed by 46 percent of potential Iowa Republican caucus attendees.

Sixteen percent of potential Iowa caucus attendees chose DeSantis as their first choice, while 11 percent said Scott.

All other GOP hopefuls are scoring in the polls in single digits, with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswany, former UN ambassador, at 6 percent. Nikki Haley with 5 percent, former Vice President Mike Pence with 4 percent and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum both with 3 percent.

Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson and Miami mayor Francis Suarez both have 1 percent support, while conservative talk show host Larry Elder and former Representative Will Hurd have yet to reach 1 percent.

Senator Tim Scott threatens Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for second in Iowa. He was photographed campaigning in Des Moines earlier this month

The Fox Business poll comes after a Kaplan Strategies poll from Thursday found that Ramaswany is encroaching on DeSantis nationally as the Florida governor tries to restart his campaign.

In that poll, DeSantis and Ramaswany tied for second place, each with 12 percent support, while Scott got 5 percent.

The Iowa poll is important because it is the state holding the nation’s first caucus and could provide candidate momentum to take on Trump, who has dominated all GOP polls to date.

“Scott has quite a hand in Iowa,” Democratic pollster Chris Anderson told Fox Business.

Anderson’s firm Beacon Research is conducting the Fox Business survey with Republican Daron Shaw.

When Republican voters were asked who they wouldn’t support, Pence got the worst numbers — 37 percent said they wouldn’t support the former vice president.

After Pence, 22 percent said Trump, 21 percent said Haley, and 17 percent said DeSantis.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been second in the Republican primaries for months, but now he’s being challenged by Iowa Senator Tim Scott — and a national poll had him tied for second with Vivek Ramaswany last week

Only 12 percent said they did not support Scott.

“Almost 9 in 10 caucus attendees are open to him, and he draws about as much from moderate Republicans as he does from the most conservative, meaning different types of voters see things they like in him,” Anderson said.

Interestingly, if Trump pulls out of the race, the largest group of his supporters would go to DeSantis.

Thirty-four percent of Trump voters said their second choice in the GOP primary field was DeSantis. Another 14 percent said they would support Scott.

After that, 13 percent would support Ramaswany and 13 percent would vote for Pence.

Among DeSantis supporters, Trump is the most popular second choice.

Thirty-three percent said they would support the former president, followed by 23 percent who would elect Scott.

Thirteen percent would support Ramaswany, 11 percent would vote for Haley and 10 percent for Pence.

Voters were also asked their views on candidates skipping debates — which Trump has threatened to do.

Fifty-nine percent said it was a sign of weakness, while 27 percent said it showed strength.

The first Republican primary debate will take place on August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for January 15.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.