Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who once led the GOP pack in the nascent race to become the Republican 2016 presidential nominee in the early voting state of Iowa, has plummeted to 10th place, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released on Friday.
It’s a big fall for Walker, who accrued just 3% support among likely Republican caucus participants. Back in July, Walker led the state with 18%– ahead of billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who each accrued 10%. Since then, the governor has had a series of stumbles and failed to have any standout moments in the first GOP debate
Now, Trump has a significant lead in the Hawkeye State, according to the latest survey, with 27% support of likely GOP caucus goers. Carson came in second with 21%while Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in third with 9%.
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Trailing Cruz were former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush with 6%, and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida all tied with 5% each. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky each accrued 4% support.
“With five months until the balloting, anything could happen. But the field has become a two-tiered contest – Donald Trump and Ben Carson ahead and everyone else far behind,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
It isn’t all good news for Trump, however. According to the survey, 35% of likely GOP caucus voters also said they “would definitely not support” the reality host for the presidential nomination. Meanwhile, 23% said the same thing about Bush and 14% for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus three points.
Walker will return to Iowa this weekend for a number of campaign events, including the annual GOP tailgate party before a big football game in Ames between the University of Iowa and Iowa State University in Ames. The governor will have company, as Trump, Rubio and Paul will also be in attendance.
