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/M arist Poll* Trump i n Close Ra ce in Sout h Carolin a… Clinton w ith Wide Lea d

For Release: Friday, February 19, 2016

Contact: Lee M. Miringoff Barbara L. Carvalho Mary Elena Griffith Marist College, 845.575.5050

This NBC News/

Wall Street Journal

/M arist Poll reports

: In the latest NBC News/

Wall Street Journal

/Marist Poll of South Carolina conducted after Saturday’s GOP debate, businessman Donald Trump, 28%, edges Texas Senator Ted Cruz, 23%, by only 5 points among likely Republican primary voters statewide including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate or who voted by absentee ballot. Last month, Trump had a 16 point lead over his closest competitor Cruz, 36% to 20%. Florida Senator Marco Rubio places third w ith 15%. Rubio is also the most mentioned

second choice

with 24% among likely Republican primary voters with a candidate preference. Of note, this survey w as conducted prior to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s endorsement of Rubio. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush follows closely behind Rubio with 13% having improved his standing among mod erates. Ohio Governor John Kasic h, who enjoys a bump following his second place finish in New Hampshire, receives 9% up from 1% in January. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson also garners 9%, little changed from 8% last month. The contest has become more competitive primarily due to the decline in Trump’s support rather than major gains by Cruz or R ubio. Trump’s lead over Cruz has dec lined across the board but especially among likely Republican primary voters who earn less than $50,000 annually, are very conservative, do not practice a religion, men, those under 45 years old, are not married, or are Tea Party supporters . Trump, who was closely mat ched with Cruz among very conservative GOP voters in the state last time, now trails Cruz by 20 points, 22% to 42%. Trump also led by double digits am ong Tea Party supporters statewide, but he currently places behind Cruz, 31% to 35%. Trump is competitive with C ruz, 29% to 26%, among white evangelical Christians who make up about six in ten likely Republican primary *All references to the survey must be sourced as “NBC News/

Wall Street Journal