Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is starting her likely presidential campaign ahead of many of her Republican rivals in a trio of key swing states, according to a new poll.
The Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday showed Clinton beating most Republican contenders in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania. Republicans with home-state advantages fare better against the presumptive Democratic front-runner. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is tied with Clinton in his state, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich is tied with Clinton in his state.
See an Intimate Portrait of Hillary Clinton
With an ice cream cone in hand, Hillary waves to the crowd in Weedsport, New York, as she heads to the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged in Auburn, New York, one of the stops on her Save America's Treasures tour, July 14, 1998.Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEGetting ready for President Clinton's second inaugural, Hillary gets her first glimpse of daughter Chelsea's short skirt. Jan. 20, 1997Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEThe President and the First Lady Share a private moment, one of their last in the Oval Office. Jan. 11, 2001. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEHillary checks her messages upon departure from Malta for the as-yet-undisclosed location, Tripoli, Oct. 18, 2011. This photo was turned into a meme that circulated around the world. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEBefore an appearance with David Letterman, Hillary checks her BlackBerry while Diana Walker takes their picture. Feb. 4, 2008.Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEHillary gathers her thoughts moments before her introduction at Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter High School in Philadelphia. Apr. 18, 2008. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEDiana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEHillary walks up the steps of the US Capitol to meet with Senate leaders. May 16, 2006. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIMEHillary enters a Super Bowl party at a bar and grill in St. Paul Minnesota, where she watches the New York Giants win the game, Feb. 3, 2008. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
But Clinton trounces three other potential candidates—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee—in all three states by double-digits. No candidate has won the presidency without securing at least two of these three swing states since 1960.
The survey, conducted Jan. 22-Feb. 1, has a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points in Florida and Ohio, and 3.3 percentage points in Pennsylvania.
