Likely Iowa GOP caucus-goers give Ben Carson a double digit lead over Donald Trump in a new Monmouth University Poll.
“When Iowa Republicans are asked who they would support in their local caucus, Ben Carson (32%) tops the list, with Donald Trump (18%) holding second. In Monmouth’s last poll of GOP caucusgoers in August, the two were tied for the top spot at 23% each. The next tier of candidates includes Ted Cruz (10%), Marco Rubio (10%), and Jeb Bush (8%). They are followed by Carly Fiorina (5%), Rand Paul (3%), Mike Huckabee (2%), Bobby Jindal (2%), and John Kasich (2%). None of the other five candidates tested topped 1%,” the poll said in a release.
“Trump’s support has eroded in a number of key areas, with the beneficiary being another outside candidate. One question is how secure Carson’s new found support really is,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute in West Long Branch, NJ.
Compared to two months ago, Carson is up by 9 points and Rubio is up by 6 points. Trump has dropped by 5 points has has Fiorina’s.
“While the leaderboard positions have changed, the outsider candidates still dominate this race. The GOP’s leadership may hope that an establishment figure will emerge, but that may not happen while their voters remain dissatisfied with the party as a whole,” said Murray.
The poll found that Carson has the best voter rating in the field at 84% favorable and 7% unfavorable. Trump’s rating is 53% favorable and 38% unfavorable. His negative rating has increased by 5 points from 33% since August.
“Other candidates with positive voter ratings include Marco Rubio (65% favorable – 16% unfavorable), Carly Fiorina (63% – 18%), Ted Cruz (59% – 24%), Bobby Jindal (56% – 23%), and Mike Huckabee (52% – 33%). Jeb Bush receives a negative rating of 42% favorable and 46% unfavorable, but that is improved from 32% – 51% two months ago. Negative ratings are also given to John Kasich (31% – 35%), Rand Paul (32% – 49%), and Chris Christie (30% – 53%),” according to the poll.
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