New Iowa Poll Has Gingrich Leading Over Paul Then Romney in 3-Way Race

A new poll released by the Des Moines Register Saturday has former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich taking a palpable lead in support from Iowa Republican caucusgoers, followed by Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in a three-candidate race. With Iowa kicking off voting in the presidential nominating process just a month away on January 3, Gingrich has support from 25 percent of likely Republican caucusgoers in the Hawkeye state. Paul has risen to second with 18 percent and Romeny slipped to third with 16 percent. Undecided came in fourth place with 11 percent.

Selzer & Co. of Des Moines conducted the poll of 401 likely Republican caucusgoers between November 27 and 30. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. The poll was conducted before Georgia businessman Herman Cain suspended his candidacy on Saturday. Cain amassed 8 percent, tied with Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann. The same Iowa poll conducted between October 23 and 26 had Cain at 23 percent support and Gingrich at only 7.

POLITICO notes that Gingrich's new found support has him further ahead of Romney than anyone has been in Iowa all year. Pollster J. Ann Selzer tells the Register that the results show Gingrich’s ascendancy has the potential to grow. Forty-three percent of likely caucusgoers picked Gingrich as their first or second choice, and 60 percent are still willing to change their mind.