Poll Christie still firmly behind pack ahead of GOP debate

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According to a new Monmouth University Poll released Monday, just two days before the second Republican Party presidential primary debate, Gov. Chris Christie still trails most candidates in his quest to secure the party’s nod.Christie is currently tied for ninth place with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, with just 2 percent support, the poll found. The mark represents a two-percentage-point drop for Christie from a similar poll taken in July.

Real estate mogul Donald Trump continues to dominate the field, logging 28 percent support in the latest poll. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson is currently in second place with 17 percent. 

Also leading Christie are businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

“Once again, the three candidates who have never held political office combine for a majority of support in a GOP primary poll,” said Poll Director Patrick Murray. “This race has turned into the ‘Festivus’ campaign. It appears that GOP voters are using the 2016 nomination contest to air their grievances with party leadership.”

Wednesday’s debate will air on CNN from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.