Rivals surge behind Trump in NH poll

Several rivals are bunching together behind Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump in the early-voting state of New Hampshire, according to a Friday poll.

Trump is supported by 26 percent of likely GOP primary voters in the latest Boston Herald/Franklin Pierce University poll, a 2-point dip from the same poll in October, but still well ahead of any other contender.

{mosads}Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Ted Cruz (Texas) have jumped to second place, with 12 percent apiece in the new poll, followed closely by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 11 percent and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush at 10 percent. Ohio Gov. John Kasich takes 8 percent support.

Cruz and Rubio have essentially doubled their support in the poll in the past two months, from 5 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

Candidates have been clawing for top spots in New Hampshire, which holds its first-in-the-nation primary on Feb. 9. Republicans sparred in their fifth debate on Tuesday.

Christie has seen a bit of momentum in the state recently, following a focus on national security after the Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., attacks, and has pulled within other candidates there after polling at 3 percent in October.

The survey of 430 likely GOP primary voters was conducted from Dec. 13 to Dec. 17 with a margin of error of 4.7 points.