In the last NH1 poll conducted in early February, Walker led Bush by 7 points. N.H. poll: Walker leads Bush, Paul third

A new poll shows New Hampshire Republicans leaning toward Scott Walker over Jeb Bush, with Rand Paul, who announced his candidacy and visited the Granite State this week, in third place.

The NH1 poll released Friday shows Walker, the Wisconsin governor, leading Bush, 23 percent to 17 percent – outside the margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Paul, the first-term Kentucky senator, is at 15 percent.


The three leaders are the only candidates to register in double figures. The next tier is led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (9 percent), who entered the race last month, and businessman Donald Trump (8 percent), who is toying with a potential candidacy for the second consecutive election cycle.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who is expected to join the race next month, is next with 7 percent, following by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 6 percent. Rounding out the field are former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (6 percent), businesswoman Carly Fiorina (2 percent) and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (2 percent).

Since the poll was conducted using automated technology – and there are only so many buttons on a touch-tone phone – the ballot test included only those 11 candidates.

In the last NH1 poll conducted in early February, Walker led Bush by 7 points.

The new poll was conducted April 8-9 by the Republican firm Reach Communications and surveyed 1,064 likely GOP primary voters.