NEW YORK (

TheStreet

) -- The

Des Moines Register's

latest survey for the Iowa caucus showed Newt Gingrich in the lead, but Ron Paul lurks close behind as the Texas congressman slowly gains traction among Iowa voters a month ahead of the vote.

The poll showed Gingrich leading the poll at 25% with Paul in second at 18% and Mitt Romney in third with 16%.

Rep. Ron Paul (R., Texas)

Paul also gained in an

NBC News/Marist

poll that put the GOP candidate at 17%, which was one percentage point behind Romney and nine points behind Gingrich.

The Texas representative's gains in the second half of November came as Herman Cain's campaign sputtered on sexual harassment allegations that piled up throughout the month. Cain, who suspended his campaign on Saturday, dropped in both polls.

Paul's Libertarian-leaning policies have appealed to Iowa voters over the course of the GOP race as the state historically attracts unique results during presidential primaries due to its caucus process.

-- Written by Joe Deaux in New York.

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