A new poll of the Republican race in New Hampshire puts Donald Trump just below the head of the pack:
He’s dismissed by the political professionals, but there is no denying that the appetite forDonald Trump among Republican primary voters is real.
The New York developer and reality television star is second among 2016 presidential candidates in a new Suffolk University poll of New Hampshire Republicans - behind only former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
The poll of 500 likely GOP presidential primary voters found 14% back Mr. Bush. Mr. Trump is right behind at 11%. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio come next, with 8% and 7%, respectively. The poll tested 19 GOP candidates – a rare survey that included ultra-longshots like Mark Everson and former Govs. Bob Ehrlichand Jim Gilmore.
While Mr. Trump is experiencing a bump in popularity after announcing the launch of his campaign last week (he filed formal Federal Elections Commission paperwork Monday), he remains the most disliked GOP candidate in the field. Suffolk found he is the only GOP candidate with a net unfavorable rating in New Hampshire — 37% of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Mr. Trump, compared to 49% who had an unfavorable view
As noted, this comes on the heels of Trump filing official paperwork with the FEC, meaning he has fulfilled for now all of the legal requirements for being a candidates. Other legal requirements such as ballot petitions are further down the reason. For the now, though, Trump is in the race and it appears he’s going to be enough of a factor in the beginning to be able to make it into the debates. Which will make those debates even more of an entertaining train wreck.
