II.
The Republicans: Main Contenders
Other Candidates:
Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Louie Gohmert and Jon Huntsman.
Primary Poll: September 2015
Christie: 16%
Rubio: 16%
Ryan: 15%
Paul: 15%
Ayotte: 12%
Haley: 11%
Jindal: 10%
Gohmert: 3%
Santorum: 2%
Perry: 2%
Huntsman: 1%
Christie and Rubio were seen as the strongest candidates for the nomination, but both had their weaknesses. Christie's embrace of Obama and lack of conservative credentials were seem as a detriment, while immigration reform crippled Rubio, hurting his appeal. The weakened frontrunners allowed Paul, Ayotte and Ryan to capitalize. The trio were largely viewed as the defacto frontrunners and would be in the race for the long run.Headlines:
Aug: Paul Narrowly Wins Ames Straw Poll with 29%, Rubio second with 27%.
Oct: Perry Ends Bid, Backs Jindal.
Nov: Four-way fight in New Hampshire: Ayotte, Christie, Huntsman and Paul!
Dec: Paul Stakes it all on Iowa
Dec: Santorum Drops out.
Jan: Christie Fading Fast in NH
Iowa Caucuses: 2016
Paul: 27.79%
Rubio: 20.00%
Ryan: 15.55%
Haley: 9.01%
Christie: 8.66%
Ayotte: 8.00%
Gohmert: 5.01%
Jindal: 4.79%
Huntsman: 0.66%
New Hampshire Primary: 2016
Ayotte: 24.00%
Paul: 23.76%
Christie: 19.39%
Huntsman: 10.05%
Rubio: 9.01%
Ryan: 8.00%
Jindal: 2.22%
Haley: 2.01%
Gohmert: 1.02%
POLITCO: JINDAL/HALEY GONE, Rubio Tries for South Carolina
NYT: Christie Channels Rudy Giuliani '08, Heads for Florida
