NEW POLL SHOWS SANTORUM GAINING ON ROMNEY IN AZ

posted by Andrea Kelly

The latest Arizona poll on the Republican Presidential primary shows Mitt Romney holds a smaller lead on Rick Santorum than other recent polls indicated.

Public Policy Polling released a poll today showing the two are within the margin of error with Romney taking 36 percent of the respondents' support to Santorum's 33 percent. Newt Gingrich is in a distant third place and Ron Paul in fourth. The survey was conducted Feb. 17 through 19, and includes responses from 412 "likely primary voters."

Last week American Research Group published the results of its latest Arizona poll conducted with 600 likely primary voters in late January. It showed Romney with 38 percent of the poll votes. Santorum had 31 percent.

Also last week, Rasmussen Reports released a poll of 750 likely Republican primary voters who weighed in that 39 percent of them would vote for Romney, to Santorum's 31 percent.

In recent weeks, Santorum has gained popularity after winning the caucuses in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, and Santorum leads Romney in polling in Michigan, which votes Feb. 28. the same day as Arizonans.