GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump has pulled ahead in Iowa and maintains solid advantages in New Hampshire and South Carolina, according to a trio of polls released just days before the Iowa caucuses.
Mr. Trump was at 32 percent support in Iowa among likely GOP caucus-goers, followed by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas at 25 percent, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 18 percent, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 8 percent and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 4 percent, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll released Thursday.
In an NBC/WSJ survey released earlier this month, Mr. Cruz had a 4-point lead over Mr. Trump, 28 percent to 24 percent, with Mr. Rubio at 13 percent and Mr. Carson at 11 percent.
In New Hampshire, Mr. Trump had a 19-point lead over Mr. Cruz among likely GOP primary voters, 31 percent to 12 percent. Mr. Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich were both at 11 percent, Mr. Bush was at 8 percent, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was at 7 percent, and Mr. Carson was at 5 percent.
In an NBC/WSJ survey released Jan. 10, Mr. Trump had been at 30 percent, with Mr. Rubio in second at 14 percent and Mr. Christie in third at 12 percent. Mr. Cruz had been at 10 percent, with Mr. Kasich and Mr. Bush tied at 9 percent each.
In South Carolina, Mr. Trump had a 16-point, 36 percent to 20 percent lead over Mr. Cruz among likely GOP primary voters, with Mr. Rubio at 14 percent, Mr. Bush at 9 percent and Mr. Carson at 8 percent.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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