Real estate mogul Donald Trump and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson are the clear front-runners in the race to win support from young Republicans in the 2016 presidential contest, according to a survey released Thursday by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics.
Mr. Trump was the top choice of 22 percent of 18-to-29-year-old Republicans in the poll, followed by Mr. Carson at 20 percent.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas were next at 7 percent apiece, followed by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 6 percent apiece.
In a Harvard IOP survey released in April, when many 2016 candidates had not yet officially declared, the race was much more wide open. Mr. Carson had a narrow lead at 10 percent, followed by Mr. Paul at 8 percent, Mr. Bush and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at 7 percent apiece, and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and Mr. Cruz at 5 percent apiece.
In the poll released Thursday, 70 percent of young Republicans said they favor building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as Mr. Trump has advocated, though 53 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds overall said it’s a bad idea.
Among young Americans overall, 60 percent said they support sending ground troops to combat the Islamic State terrorist group, though about 85 percent said they “probably” or “definitely” would not serve if the U.S. did need additional troops.
Polling done prior to the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris showed a split, with about an even number of young Americans supporting and opposing the action. But the institute re-fielded the question after Nov. 13, and found 60 percent in favor and 40 percent opposed.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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