Poll: Jeb Bush Well Ahead of GOP Presidential Pack, Leads Christie by 10 Points

Jeb Bush is the "clear Republican presidential frontrunner," CNN reported in regard to a new CNN/ORC poll that shows the former Florida governor well ahead of other potential GOP candidates since his announcement that he's "actively exploring" a run at the White House in 2016.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush speaks to the media on December 17, 2014, in Miami, Florida. (Image source: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

More from CNN:

He takes nearly one-quarter — 23% — of Republicans surveyed in the new nationwide poll, putting him 10 points ahead of his closest competitor, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who tallied 13%.

Physician Ben Carson comes in third, with 7% support, and Sen. Rand Paul and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee are both tied for fourth with 6%.

That marks a drop in support for all but Christie and Bush from the last CNN/ORC survey of the field, conducted in November. That poll showed Bush in the lead, but only taking 14% of the vote, while Carson came in second with 11% and Christie tied Rep. Paul Ryan for fourth with 9% support.

Bush's 10-point lead is the first time any prospective GOP candidate has shown an advantage that eclipses a poll's margin of error in the past two years, CNN added.

You can check out the entire CNN/ORC poll here and the full CNN report here.