WASHINGTON — A new USA Today/Suffolk University poll finds that the Republican primary race for president is wide open.
Republican voters haven’t solidified behind any single candidate. Meanwhile Democrats want Hillary Clinton to face primary opponents, although almost 43 percent of likely primary voters support her.
In an open-ended question, almost 9 percent of Republicans picked Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker as their top candidate, followed by Jeb Bush with almost 8 percent, then Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. Marco Rubio, who jumped into the race Monday, garnered just 2 percent.
Jeb Bush was also considered the most unacceptable candidate by Republicans with 11 percent. However 61 percent were undecided.
Of other possible Democrat candidates — only Clinton has announced so far — 5 percent of primary voters would give Elizabeth Warren their support in an open-ended question. The senator from Massachusetts has said she won’t run. She was followed by Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Vice President Joe Biden.
And 55 percent of Democrats say that it is very important that the party offers strong candidates to challenge Clinton for the nomination. Twenty-five percent say its somewhat important.
