Donald Trump has raced out to a huge lead against the rest of the 2016 Republican presidential field in the early-voting state of New Hampshire, according to a poll released Tuesday that showed him more than tripling the support of his closest competitor.
Mr. Trump was the first choice of 35 percent of GOP primary voters in the Granite State, followed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich at 11 percent and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina at 10 percent, according to the survey from the Democratic-leaning firm Public Policy Polling.
“This is by far the best we’ve found Donald Trump doing anywhere during his entire surge,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “If anything he just seems to be getting stronger as the campaign rolls on.”
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker were at 7 percent apiece, followed by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 6 percent, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida at 4 percent apiece, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky at 3 percent.
Mr. Trump had a 56 percent/32 percent favorable/unfavorable split and led by anywhere from 8 points to 23 points in head-to-head match-ups against Mr. Carson, Mr. Walker, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Bush.
In April, Mr. Walker had been out in front at 24 percent, followed by Mr. Cruz at 14 percent, Mr. Paul at 12 percent, Mr. Bush at 10 percent, Mr. Rubio and Mr. Christie at 8 percent apiece, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Mr. Carson at 7 percent apiece. Mr. Trump was not included as a choice then.
In the survey released Tuesday, Mr. Carson had the best favorability among the GOP candidates; 62 percent said they have a favorable impression of him and 17 percent said they have an unfavorable impression. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina had the worst split at -23, with 20 percent saying they had a favorable impression of Mr. Graham and 43 percent saying they have an unfavorable view.
The survey of 436 Republican primary voters was taken Aug. 21-24 and has a margin or error of plus or minus 4.7 percent.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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