Clinton leads 2016 GOP contenders in Virginia

Hillary Clinton leads the potential 2016 Republican presidential contenders in the swing state of Virginia, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday.

She would currently defeat New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie 45 to 41 percent in a hypothetical matchup, the poll finds.

{mosads}Clinton also leads former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush 47 percent to 39 percent, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) 48 percent to 42 percent and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee 49 percent to 41 percent. 

None of the candidates has entered the race yet. 

It is possible, Quinnipiac said, that Christie is closing the gap with Clinton.

One poll from earlier this month in the crucial primary state of Iowa had her leading him 48 percent to 35 percent.

“Secretary Hillary Clinton’s lead over New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie, top-seeded among Republicans, is only four points, smaller than in other recent Quinnipiac University surveys. Whether that means the ‘bridgegate’ impact on Gov. Christie is fading in the rear-view mirror, only time will tell,” Quinnipiac Poll assistant director Peter Brown said.

More than half of Virginia voters view Clinton favorably, while 44 percent view her unfavorably, the poll found. 

Christie, meanwhile, received a 38 percent favorable and unfavorable rating. 

Some 52 percent of Virginia voters also disapprove of President Obama’s job as president. Forty-four percent said they approve of the job he’s doing.

Obama won Virginia in both 2008 and 2012. Former President George W. Bush carried the battleground state in 2000 and 2004.

The university surveyed 1,288 Virginia voters for the poll conducted from March 19 to 24.