AP Photos Iowa poll: Christie gains on Clinton

Chris Christie has narrowed the gap with Hillary Clinton in Iowa, a new poll says.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday, the New Jersey governor trails Clinton 44 percent to 36 percent among Iowa voters, a 5-percentage-point gain since March, when he trailed 48 percent to 35 percent.


Sen. Rand Paul also made gains on Clinton in Iowa. The survey showed that the Kentucky Republican trails the former secretary of state 46-40, a net 4-percentage-point improvement since in March.

A Gallup poll earlier this month reported that Clinton’s popularity has declined in recent months. That survey reported that 54 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of Clinton, down from 59 percent in February. While she served at the State Department during President Barack Obama’s first term, she averaged a favorability rating of 64 percent.

The Quinnipiac survey shows that Clinton still maintains a lead over many potential 2016 Republican presidential candidates. Clinton leads 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) by 6 points, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee by 7 points and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush by 13 points.

Fifty-two percent of Iowa voters view Clinton favorability, compared to 41 percent who view her unfavorably.

The survey was conducted June 12-16 with 1,277 registered Iowa voters on landlines and cellphones. The margin for error is plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.