A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey shows support for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at its highest point since he first indicated he was eyeing a presidential bid.
In a week when voters are getting a chance to look at three new official candidates — Dr. Ben Carson, businesswoman Carly Fiorina and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee — Bush’s numbers surged to 23 percent, showing sustained growth for the Republican.
What’s more, there was a huge surge in his favorability rating. It now stands at 70 percent favorable to 23 unfavorable. In March, it was 49 percent favorable to 42 percent unfavorable. Only his rival, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, had a higher favorable rating in the new survey, at 74 percent.
Sen. Marco Rubio and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush top a new poll. AP Photo
Asked who would be their first choice in a primary, Republican voters picked Bush by 27 percent followed by Rubio at 18 percent, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at 14 percent, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul at 11 percent and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at 11 percent.
Great to run into my buddy @GovernorPerry in New Hampshire! Who could have predicted we would both be in town? pic.twitter.com/Jnu8FoIvBY
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) April 17, 2015
Bush has averaged about 15.4 percent in the Real Clear Politics poll compilation. That is higher than any other Republican.
He hit 23 percent only once before, in a December CNN poll after he posted a note on Facebook that he was considering a presidential bid.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
