Poll: Republicans close in on Clinton in NH

Three Republicans presidential hopefuls are within striking distance of Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire after her lead over the GOP narrowed this spring, according to a new poll.

{mosads}Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) are now statistically tied with Clinton, within the margin of error in hypothetical general election contests.

The survey, conducted by Bloomberg Politics and Saint Anselm, found that Bush and Rubio are Clinton’s biggest competition in the Granite State. The two Floridians trail her by 2 points each.

Paul came in next, trailing Clinton by 3 points, followed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), who trailed her by 6 points.

Paul and Rubio have officially launched presidential bids, while Bush and Walker are expected to officially enter the race next month.

The Republican primary contest is likely to be messy in New Hampshire.

Walker and Paul each earned 12 percent support among GOP primary voters, while Rubio and Bush earned 11 percent. The next most popular potential GOP candidates were Donald Trump, with 8 percent, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, with 7 percent.

Clinton’s popularity with Democratic primary voters is solid. Sixty-two percent said they would choose her over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who earned 18 percent. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), a likely competitor, earned 3 percent.

The survey was conducted May 2-6 with participation from 500 general election voters and the statistical equivalent of 400 Republican and 400 Democratic primary voters.

Its margin of error is 4.5 points for general election questions and 4.9 points for primary questions.