WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump garnered a significant lead in the state of New Hampshire, while former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has come second after an unexpected leap in favorability, according to the results of an Emerson College poll issued on Wednesday.
"A new statewide New Hampshire poll reveals Donald Trump holding a significant lead over his Republican opponents with 35 percent of the vote," Emerson College stated.
The poll found that Jeb Bush took a surprising lead with an 18 percent favorability rating among likely New Hampshire voters.
Ohio governor John Kasich gained 14 percent of likely voter support, while Florida Senator Marco Rubio stands at 9 percent and Texas Senator Ted Cruz at 8 percent.
Emerson College pollsters attributed Bush’s recent surge to his "heavy spending on attack ads by his Super PAC [Political Action Committee]."
The results of the poll come as New Hampshire prepares to hold the first primary vote to select the Democratic and Republican parties’ nominees for the US presidency this month.
