A new Public Policy poll finds that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is trailing former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum in the state of Minnesota.
The poll, released on Sunday, is the first to find Mr. Romney trailing one of his Republican opponents. The Massachusetts Republican has, thus far, solidified his status as a Republican front-runner, securing victories in a number of contest up until this point.
The poll finds Mr. Santorum leading Mr. Romney by just two percentage points. Mr. Santorum holds a small edge there with 29 percent to 27 percent for Mr. Romney, 22 percent for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and 19 percent for Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
“Santorum’s personal likability- perhaps driven by the fact that no one has felt the need to attack him- has a lot to do with why he’s doing so well in these states,” PPP pollsters said in a statement.
That said, pollsters noted that Mr. Romney would ultimately capture a victory in Minnesota on Tuesday.
Mr. Romney has a few key things going for him. He remains extremely formidable with seniors, leading mr. Santorum 42 to 28 with them in Minnesota. Although he continues to struggle with the furthest right segment of Republican voters he’s now firmly established himself as the candidate of choice for those describing themselves as “somewhat conservative.”
