Former reality television star Donald Trump is leading the crowded Republican presidential field in Iowa and surging past all competitors, according to a CNN/ORC International Poll released Wednesday.
Trump polled at 22 percent among likely Iowa caucus goers while his closest competitor, former neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, polled at 14 percent.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker was at 9 percent. After impressive performances at last week’s presidential debates, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz polled at 8 percent and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina polled at 7 percent. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also polled at 7 percent.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush polled at 5 percent alongside Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
According to this poll, Trump was the best candidate equipped to handle terrorism, the economy and illegal immigration. Forty-four percent said Trump was the candidate to most likely change “the way things work in Washington.”
Carson was seen as the best candidate to deal with abortion.
The poll was conducted among 2,014 Iowa residents, 1,258 of whom are likely caucus voters, by cell phone and landline from August 7 to 11. The margin of error was plus or minus 2 percent overall and among likely voters it was plus or minus 3 percent.