Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has overtaken Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in Iowa and maintains a sizable lead in New Hampshire, according to a pair of new polls on the 2016 GOP nominating contest.
Mr. Trump was at 34 percent in the Fox News poll released this week, followed by Mr. Cruz at 23 percent and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 12 percent.
A Fox News survey on Iowa taken earlier in the month had Mr. Cruz at 27 percent, Mr. Trump at 23 percent and Mr. Rubio at 15 percent.
In the new poll, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was in fourth at 7 percent, followed by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky at 6 percent and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 4 percent apiece.
Though Mr. Trump held the overall lead, 20 percent said they would refuse to vote for him against the Democratic candidate in November. He was first on that question, followed by Mr. Bush at 14 percent and Mr. Cruz at 11 percent.
In New Hampshire, Mr. Trump was in the lead at 31 percent in the new Fox News poll, followed by Mr. Cruz at 14 percent and Mr. Rubio at 13 percent. A poll taken in early January had Mr. Trump at 33 percent, Mr. Rubio at 15 percent and Mr. Cruz at 12 percent.
In the new New Hampshire survey, Ohio Gov. John Kasich was in fourth at 9 percent, followed by Mr. Bush and Mr. Christie at 7 percent each, and Mr. Paul and Mr. Carson at 5 percent each.
Twenty-six percent said they would refuse to vote for Mr. Trump against the Democrat in November, followed by Mr. Bush at 15 percent, Mr. Cruz at 14 percent, and Mr. Rubio at 12 percent.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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