Former Massachusetts Gov. and 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney leads a host of other possible Republican 2016 contenders in a poll of likely GOP voters in South Carolina, home of the “first in the south” primary.
Mr. Romney was the pick of 20 percent of voters in the Townhall/Gravis poll, followed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 16 percent and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at 9 percent.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas were next at 8 percent apiece, followed by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 7 percent apiece.
Next were New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 5 percent, and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 4 percent apiece.
Twelve percent were undecided.
With Mr. Romney removed from the field, Mr. Bush led with 18 percent, and Mr. Huckabee and Mr. Walker were at 11 percent apiece — with 17 percent undecided.
Mr. Romney finished second in the state to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in 2012. Sen. John McCain of Arizona won the state in 2008 en route to securing the party’s presidential nomination that year.
Mr. Romney recently told donors he’s thinking about running for president a third time and made a campaign-style swing through Mississippi Wednesday as he tests the waters.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.