Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads the GOP field for the 2012 Presidential nomination with 27 percent of likely Republican primary voters, according to a new Rasmussen poll.
Romney’s standing comes after the poll excluded former GOP contenders Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin, all who either announced they would not run or have seemed increasingly unlikely to enter the race.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie comes in right behind Romney with 26 percent of the vote. Although Christie has repeatedly stated that he would not run, there have been rumors of a last minute draft effort. Republican officials in Iowa have reportedly contacted Christie in hopes of drawing him into the race.
Other seemingly popular candidates fall far behind. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty secures 8 percent of the vote and Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels takes only 6 percent.
The poll was conducted April 29th among 1,000 Republican voters but was altered on Monday to reflect the removal of the three candidates.