While the 2016 Iowa caucuses are almost a year away, the results of a new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday show Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker leading the way among potential Republican presidential candidates.
The poll found that 25 percent of likely Iowa Republican Caucus participants would support Walker if the caucus were being held today.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ken., comes in second at 13 percent, followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson at 11 percent each.
Ten percent of likely caucus participants said they would support former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, while no other candidate is above 5 percent and 9 percent are undecided.
Walker, who drew rave reviews for a speech he delivered at the Iowa Freedom Summit last month, also topped the list when likely caucus participants named their second choice.
Quinnipiac University Poll Assistant Director Peter A. Brown said Walker is "taking the Republican political world by storm," going from nearly unknown to the potential front-runner for the GOP nomination.
"Front-runner status would make it easier for Gov. Walker to raise money and recruit top talent for his staff, but it also puts a target on his back," Brown said.
He added, "It's worth remembering that former Sen. Rick Santorum and former Gov. Mike Huckabee won the last two caucuses and neither came close to the nomination."
The poll showed that Walker benefits from strong a favorability rating in Iowa, as 57 percent of likely caucus participants view him favorably compared to only 7 percent who view him unfavorably.
Additionally, nearly half of the likely caucus participants surveyed identify as "very conservative," likely benefiting more conservative candidates like Walker and Huckabee.
The Quinnipiac survey of 623 likely Iowa Republican Caucus participants was conducted February 16th through 23rd and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News