Businessman Donald Trump is the front-runner in a second national poll this week on the 2016 GOP field, holding an edge over Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in a Fox News poll released Thursday.
Mr. Trump was the top choice of 18 percent of Republican primary voters in the poll, followed by Mr. Walker at 15 percent and Mr. Bush at 14 percent.
Support for Mr. Trump was up 7 percentage points since last month and up 14 points since May. He was also first in a Suffolk University/USA Today poll released earlier in the week.
In response to the Fox poll, Mr. Trump said in a statement: “I am incredibly pleased that my message is resonating with people all over the United States. There are so many American’s that are ready to make our country great again, and I am the only one who can make it happen. We will bring back the jobs, bring back the money, and bring back the spirit!”
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was next at 8 percent, followed by Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 7 percent, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 6 percent, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at 4 percent apiece.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was at 3 percent, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Sen. Rick Santorum were tied for 10th at 2 percent apiece. Mr. Kasich is scheduled to announce his 2016 plans on Tuesday in Columbus.
Mr. Bush got the most support when voters were asked who their second choice would be — 14 percent — followed by Mr. Trump’s 11 percent. Without Mr. Trump, Mr. Bush was in first at 19 percent, followed by Mr. Walker’s 16 percent and Mr. Paul’s 9 percent.
Forty-four percent of voters overall said setting aside how Mr. Trump worded his comments when he talked about Mexico and illegal immigrants, he is “basically right” on the issue, while 53 percent said he is not. Sixty-eight percent of Republican primary voters said he is right.
The survey of 1,019 registered voters was taken July 13-15 and has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, with a slightly higher margin of error among GOP primary voters.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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