http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/06/23/trump-surges-in-popularity-in-n-h-taking-second-place-in-suffolk-poll/10:59 am ET
Jun 23, 2015
By Reid J. Epstein
Trump Surges in Popularity in N.H., Taking Second Place in Suffolk Poll
He’s dismissed by the political professionals, but there is no denying that the appetite for Donald 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 Ehrlich and 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.
The candidate with the largest gap between favorable and unfavorable ratings is Mr. Rubio, at 61% favorable to 14% unfavorable. Mr. Rubio was also chosen as the second choice by 13% of poll respondents. Mr. Bush was the second-choice pick of 14% of those surveyed.
The poll of 500 likely New Hampshire Republican presidential primary voters was conducted from June 18, the day after Mr. Trump announced his campaign, through June 22. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
