A new Suffolk University survey of New Hampshire voters has billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump in second place among Republican presidential contenders.
Jeb Bush finished first in the poll, at 14.4 percent. But Trump, who announced his run for president on June 16 and held a rally in New Hampshire the following day, was close behind at 10.6 percent.
They were followed by Scott Walker at 8.4 percent, Marco Rubio at 6.8 percent, Ben Carson at 6 percent, Chris Christie at 4.6 percent and Rand Paul at 4.2 percent. Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina tied at 3.6 percent.
"Jeb Bush continues to lead, but Donald Trump has emerged as an anti-Jeb Bush alternative in New Hampshire," said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center in Boston. "Many of those who like Trump are voting for him, and although many more dislike him, the unfavorables are split up among many other candidates. It’s the politics of plurality."
When it comes to favorability ratings, Trump finished dead last among Republicans included in the survey, at 37.4 percent.
Rubio had the highest favorability rating, at 61.4 percent, followed by Bush at 58 percent and Walker at 53.2 percent.
"This is where Trump’s unfavorability is limiting people’s tolerance to hear what he has to say, and voters would rather see other candidates in the debate," Paleologos said. "Trump’s controversial candidacy is being constructed in a way that gives him visibility and exposure in the short term but may also limit his growth in the long run, like a glass ceiling."
