Poll: Bush leads GOP field

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and businessman Donald Trump lead an extremely crowded field of Republican presidential candidates, according to a CNN/ORC poll published Wednesday.

Bush and Trump take 19 percent and 12 percent, respectively, in the new poll, followed by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (8 percent), neurosurgeon Ben Carson (7 percent) and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (7 percent).

Paul, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (6 percent) and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (6 percent) have all seen their support among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents tick down in recent months in the poll, which is based on 407 respondents and carries a margin of error of 5 points.

Bush and Trump have seen a jump in recent polling following their back-to-back formal campaign launches in mid-June. A Fox News poll out last week also found them atop the GOP pack.

Both candidates are viewed most favorably in the poll on the economy and illegal immigration (Trump has seen controversy over the latter recently). Huckabee joins the pair on handling of social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who announced his GOP presidential bid Tuesday, starts his White House campaign with 3 percent support in the poll — statistically tied with most rivals.

Among Democratic presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton maintains 57 percent, slightly down in recent months. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has surged in the poll to 14 percent since announcing his bid in late April but trails Vice President Joe Biden at 16 percent, his best showing in the poll to date despite not having signaled he will run.

The survey of Democrats included 490 respondents with a margin of error of 4.5 points. The CNN poll was conducted June 26-28 via landlines and cellphones.