Poll: Christie jumps from 9th to 4th in NH
© Greg Nash

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has jumped from ninth place to fourth place among the GOP presidential field in New Hampshire, according to a new poll released Thursday.

Christie moved from 3 percent support in mid-October to 9 percent, according to the survey by the liberal-leaning Public Policy Polling (PPP).
 
Christie also holds the highest net favorability rating of any GOP candidate, 39 points, a significant improvement from August when he was at minus 11, the poll said.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
“Chris Christie’s rise in New Hampshire is good news not just for him but possibly for the other candidates struggling to gain traction right now,” Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling, said in a statement. “It shows that there’s still plenty of time for people to turn their campaigns around.”
 
Christie is also now a more popular second choice for voters supporting real estate mogul Donald TrumpDonald TrumpBlinken holds first calls as Biden's secretary of State Senators discussing Trump censure resolution Dobbs: Republicans lost in 2020 because they 'forgot who was the true leader' MORE, doubling his support from 7 percent in PPP's mid-October poll to 14 percent.
 
A number of polls have shown him on the rise since the influential New Hampshire Union Leader endorsed Christie’s presidential bid on Nov. 28.

The poll also found that Trump continues to lead by double digits, with 27 percent, followed by Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate committee advances Biden's DHS pick despite Republican pushback Google suspends donations to lawmakers who voted against certifying election The Hill's Morning Report - Biden argues for legislative patience, urgent action amid crisis MORE (R-Texas), with 13 percent, and Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Court upholds ruling invalidating Dakota Access, but doesn't shut down pipeline | Schumer calls for Biden to declare climate emergency | Biden seeks to bolster consultation with Indian Country The Memo: Chances recede of GOP breaking with Trump Schumer calls for Biden to declare climate emergency MORE (R-Fla.), with 11 percent. In October, Rubio was in second place, with 12 percent.
 
Cruz is also building momentum in the Granite State, moving from sixth place, with 8 percent, in October to second, with 13 percent, in the new poll. And he was top among Trump supporters as a second choice, with 26 percent, up from 6 percent in the last poll.
 
In Thursday's poll, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson comes in fifth, with 9 percent, following Ohio Gov. John Kasich, with 8 percent, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, with 6 percent, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, with 5 percent, and Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulSenators discussing Trump censure resolution Senate GOP signals it's likely to acquit Trump for second time Trump ex-chief says Senate vote signals impeachment effort 'dead on arrival' MORE, with 4 percent. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former New York Gov. George Pataki, former Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.), Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamSenators spar over validity of Trump impeachment trial Trump selects South Carolina lawyer for impeachment trial Democrats formally elect Harrison as new DNC chair MORE (S.C.) and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore all register at 1 percent or less.
 
Both Bush and Kasich are losing steam in New Hampshire. Bush saw the biggest drop, falling from fifth in October to eighth in the new poll. He has a net favorability rating of minus 7.

Kasich, who’s made it a priority to focus on New Hampshire in his quest for the GOP nomination, is also dipping in the polls, falling from fourth in August and October to sixth in November.

On the Democratic side, the top two candidates are close. Former Secretary of State Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonEverytown urges Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign over newly uncovered remarks Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed support on Facebook for violence against Democrats McConnell last spoke to Trump on Dec. 15 MORE slightly leads Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersWhat the shift in Senate control means for marijuana policy reform Business groups prepare for lobbying push against minimum wage Schumer: Senate could pave way for reconciliation on COVID relief next week MORE (I-Vt.), 44 percent to 42 percent. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley lags far behind, with 8 percent.

But Sanders has a higher favorability rating than Clinton, 66 compared with 46. 

“Hillary Clinton’s expanded her lead nationally and in most recent Iowa polls,” Debnam said. “But New Hampshire continues to be shaping up for a very competitive primary.” 

The poll was conducted from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. It surveyed 458 Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of 4.6 percentage points. The Republican poll surveyed 454 Republican primary voters via landlines and the Internet and its margin of error is also 4.6 percentage points.
Tags Hillary Clinton Lindsey Graham Bernie Sanders Donald Trump Marco Rubio Rand Paul Ted Cruz