Politics & Government

Update: Polls Show Romney's Lead Grows

Monmouth and Rasmussen polls both show solid leads.

SPRING VALLEY, SC- South Carolina polls have throughout the campaign, but as Primary day inches closer, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney may be able to coast to a victory.

Two new polls show Romney with more than 10-point leads on former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

One new poll, from Monmouth University, shows Romney with an 11-point lead on his nearest competition.

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Romney earned 33 percent support among likely Republican primary voters, while Gingrich earned 22 percent.

Sen. Rick Santorum and Rep. Ron Paul both dropped to the third tier, with Santorum earning 14 percent support and Paul getting 12 percent.

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Texas Gov. Rick Perry earned 6 percent support and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who unday, earned 4 percent.

Romney won most of his support with moderate, liberal or somewhat conservative voters, while Gingrich found favor with self-described Tea Party Republicans or those who considered themselves very conservative.

However, the poll also shows that evangelicals may be warming to . Romney led Gingrich among evangelicals 29 percent to 26 percent, with Santorum at 19 percent.

second poll released Tuesday by Rasmussen Reports shows Romney with an even larger lead, earning 35 percent support from likely primary voters.

Gingrich stands second at 21 percent, while Paul and Santorum are tied at 16 percent each.

The results come from a Monday evening survey, after Huntsman left the race but before the .


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