{mosads}Gingrich took 37 percent in the poll of registered Republican voters nationwide, which was conducted between Dec. 1 and Dec. 5. Because Cain left the race on Dec. 3, those votes went to his supporters’ second choice.
Gallup said Gingrich benefitted the most from the divvying-up of Cain’s seven percent, but didn’t break down how much went to each candidate.
Romney came in second at 22 percent, followed by Ron Paul at eight percent, Rick Perry at seven percent, Michele Bachmann at six percent, Rick Santorum at three percent, and Jon Huntsman at one percent.
According to the same poll, Gingrich had 13 percent of the support during the first week in November, 22 percent in mid-November, and is up to 37 percent now.
Romney remained steady at 22 percent, 21 percent, and 22 percent over that same timeframe.
The Gingrich surge began just as former frontrunner Cain began facing allegations of sexual harassment and infidelity. Cain denied the charges, but pulled out of the race on Saturday saying he wanted to protect his family.
Gingrich crushes the field among those that identify with the Tea Party movement or consider themselves conservative.
Gingrich takes 47 percent of the Tea Party support compared to Romney’s 17 percent, and he takes 41 percent of the conservative vote against Romney’s 20 percent.
The race tightens among moderates and liberals, with Gingrich leading Romney 28 percent to 26 percent, and Romney leads Gingrich 28 percent to 27 percent among those who say they do not support the Tea Party movement.
The Gallup daily tracking poll began Dec. 1 and will be reported each day with a five-day rolling average of at least 1,000 registered Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. The current results are based on 1,277 Republican registered voters nationwide interviewed Dec. 1-5.