Public Policy Polling’s new survey of New Hampshire shows Donald Trump leading the GOP presidential field, with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio trailing in second place.
Trump leads the Granite State poll with the support of 29 percent of those surveyed, followed by Rubio at 15 percentage points, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich tied at 11 points, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tied at 10 points.
When the race is narrowed to Trump, Rubio, and Cruz, Trump’s lead over Rubio slims to just two percentage points, 36-34.
“If the Republican establishment really wants to stop Donald Trump in New Hampshire it might require some more people dropping out of the race,” said Dean Debnam, PPP president, in a statement. “Four different establishment candidates all polling in double digits is what’s allowing Trump to have such a big lead in the state.”
Bush and Rubio have the most momentum in the new poll. Bush’s support doubled since last month’s poll, while Rubio gained four percentage points. Ben Carson dropped five percentage points in the Granite State since PPP’s previous poll, while Cruz dropped three points. But Cruz would fare much better if Trump exited the race.
“If the Donald Trump collapse that’s been expected for six months but has yet to materialize ever does become a reality, Ted Cruz is going to be in a very good position in New Hampshire,” Debnam said. “He’s the next in line for Trump voters and it’s not even close.”
PPP surveyed 515 “likely Republican primary voters” from January 4th to the 6th. The poll has a 4.3 percentage point margin of error for the Republicans. Eighty percent of total respondents answered the survey via a phone, while 20 percent of respondents participated “over the Internet through an opt-in panel.”
