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Iowa voters would choose Gov. Chris Christie over Hillary Clinton if the 2016 presidential contest were held today, a new Quinnipiac poll shows.

(File photos)

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie leads Hillary Clinton by 5 percentage points among Iowa voters surveyed about the presidential race, according to a poll released today.

The governor would win 45 percent to 40 percent in a hypothetical contest with the former secretary of state, a Quinnipiac University poll shows.

Christie's showing is an improvement over where he stood with Hawkeye State voters over the summer. At that time, Christie and Clinton were neck and neck.

As the first-in-the-nation caucus state, Iowa plays an outsized role in the nominating contests. Some have wondered how Christie’s brand of conservatism would play in a state like Iowa where he is likely to face challenges from the far right.

“New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie pulls ahead of Secretary Hillary Clinton among Iowa voters,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the poll. “The change from the last time Quinnipiac University polled Iowa, July 22 when they were tied 41 – 41 percent, reflects a general improvement for Republicans, almost certainly related to the controversy over ‘Obamacare.’”

In the latest poll, both candidates experience a gender gap. Men back Christie 51 percent to 30 percent, while women back Clinton 49 percent to 39 percent.

Each candidate dominates among members of his or her own party, but independents go with Christie 44 percent to 35 percent.

Among the Republicans who could be pitted against Clinton, only Christie would win, the polls shows. She barely beats U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, but would win by seven percentage points in a race against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Christie and Paul's public feuding dominated the headlines for a few days in July.

Christie and Bush are thought of as moderate Republicans who would appeal to the same voters if both decided to run for the White House.

Iowa voters believe Christie and Clinton would each make good presidents, but voters give negative scores to Paul, Cruz, Bush and Vice President Joe Biden when asked how they would do in the Oval Office.

Quinnipiac surveyed 1,617 voters from Dec. 10 – 15. The poll has a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points.

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