Christie losing ground among 2016 GOP presidential pack in new poll

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According to a new Monmouth University Poll released Monday, Gov. Chris Christie, despite formally announcing his candidacy last month, continues to lose ground as he seeks the Republican Party’s nomination for president.Christie’s latest mark of just 2 percent support among voters reflects a drop of two percentage points from another poll in June. The governor’s favorability rating also declined slightly, to just 25 percent favorable and 45 percent unfavorable.

Poll Director Patrick Murray noted that, while Christie’s two-percentage point drop may seem slight, it could prove significant as only the top 10 candidates in an average of polls will be allowed to appear on stage at next month’s first primary debate.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush currently leads all candidates with 15 percent; however, business mogul Donald Trump is close at 13 percent after an 11-percentage point surge from his June mark of just 2 percent.

“The biggest poll bump over the past few weeks has been for Donald Trump,” Murray said. “But you’ve got to wonder if his support has already plateaued, since many Republican voters don’t view him as a serious candidate.”

Also placing ahead of Christie were U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas with 9 percent, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker with 7 percent, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee with 7 percent, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida with 6 percent, surgeon Ben Carson with 6 percent and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky with 6 percent.

Christie is currently tied with the likes of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.

The first Republican debate, which will be hosted by Fox News, will be held Aug. 6 in Cleveland.

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