News / Politics

Trump, Sanders lead rivals heading into Iowa: Poll

Monday, 01 February 2016 2:34 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 01 February 2016 7:31 PM ]

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) and Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders (AFP photo)

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump leads his closest rival Senator Ted Cruz by 7 percentage points, heading into Iowa caucuses on Monday, according to the latest poll.

Trump leads Cruz, 31 to 24 percent in the final Quinnipiac University poll of Iowa released Monday morning.

The billionaire businessman’s edge has been powered by first-time Republican caucus-goers, the poll found.

Ted Cruz greets guests as he arrives for his campaign event at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa, January 31, 2016. (AFP photo)

Florida Senator Marco Rubio stood at 17 percent while no other Republican candidate garnered double-digit support.

Quinnipiac's January 26 survey had Trump and Cruz in a tight race -- 31 to 29 percent respectively. Sen. Rubio was at 13 percent.

Sanders gains ground in Iowa

First-time Democratic caucus participants also gave a boost to Bernie Sanders in Iowa, the latest poll showed. The Vermont senator leads front-runner Hillary Clinton, 49 to 46 percent, in the Hawkeye State.

The race, however, is still fluid as 28 percent of those surveyed, who did name a candidate, said they were open to changing their minds at the caucuses.

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a campaign event at Iowa State University on January 31, 2016. (AFP photo)

Hillary Clinton greets supporters as she arrives to speak at Abraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines, Iowa, January 31, 2016, one day before the much anticipated state caucuses. (AFP photo)

Along with the Iowa caucuses, the New Hampshire primary, to be held February 9, is the first in a series of nationwide party primary elections. They are considered an early measurement of the national attitude toward the candidates.

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