Poll: Romney Holds Strong NH Lead

With the official start of the primary season just days away, Mitt Romney appears to hold a strong position in one of the first battlegrounds of 2012.

According to a new Boston Globe/University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll, the former Massachusetts Governor leads the GOP field in the Granite state with 39 percent support among likely Republican voters. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Congressman Ron Paul trail far behind with 17 percent each. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, whose campaign has failed to gain steam nationally, follows with 11 percent. No other candidate breaks double digits.

The poll also shows that Romney’s often-questioned Conservative credentials may do little to slow down his campaign. Among those in New Hampshire who identify themselves as members of the Tea Party, Romney leads Gingrich 44 to 24 percent and among indepdents.

The poll was conducted among 543 likely voters between December 12th and 19th.

The full report can be read here.