--- title: Ben Carson Poll: He Closes Gap on Donald Trump description: Riding a wave of momentum, Ben Carson gained on Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in a new presidential primary poll. canonical: https://time.com/4034630/donald-trump-ben-carson-poll/ author: Alex Altman article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-09-15T14:39:12.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:41:36.803Z article:section: Politics og:title: Ben Carson Poll: He Closes Gap on Donald Trump og:description: Riding a wave of momentum, Ben Carson gained on Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in a new presidential primary poll. og:url: https://time.com/4034630/donald-trump-ben-carson-poll/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1ae42a93df3e3d97/6988639e0a4a22319c9c6121/ben-carson.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: Republican Nominees speak at Eagle Council Event. og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Ben Carson Poll: He Closes Gap on Donald Trump twitter:description: Riding a wave of momentum, Ben Carson gained on Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in a new presidential primary poll. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1ae42a93df3e3d97/6988639e0a4a22319c9c6121/ben-carson.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Carson Closes Gap on Trump in Poll ## Video: So, Was Trump's Fallon Appearance Actually 'HUUUUUGE'? [Watch (HLS stream): So, Was Trump's Fallon Appearance Actually 'HUUUUUGE'?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/XniUp1ZF.m3u8) (1:09)  _Published 2015-09-12. Some political observers praised Fallon for asking tough questions while others said the appearance fell flat._  by [Alex Altman](https://time.com/author/alex-altman/)  ## Alex Altman Altman is the executive features editor and deputy Washington bureau chief at TIME. Sep 15, 2015 2:39 PM UTC  Dr. Ben Carson is introduced to the crowd during the Eagle Forum's Eagle Council Event on Sept. 11, 2015 in St. Louis. Dr. Ben Carson is introduced to the crowd during the Eagle Forum's Eagle Council Event on Sept. 11, 2015 in St. Louis.Michael B. Thomas—Getty Images  by [Alex Altman](https://time.com/author/alex-altman/)  ## Alex Altman Altman is the executive features editor and deputy Washington bureau chief at TIME. Sep 15, 2015 2:39 PM UTC Riding a wave of momentum, Ben Carson gained on Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in a new presidential primary poll that crystallizes the two political newcomers’ dominance of a crowded GOP field. The New York _Times_/CBS News poll released Tuesday showed Trump maintaining his national lead with 27%. Carson was the choice of 23% of respondents, up from just 6% in a similar CBS News survey taken before the first GOP debate. The remainder of the GOP field is closely bunched. Former Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas earned 6% in the poll, as did Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz notched 5%, while businesswoman Carly Fiorina got 4%. Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul were the choice of 3% of respondents. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie got 1%. Carson’s ascendance reflects the degree to which political outsiders have siphoned support from traditional politicians so far in the GOP nominating contest. The soft-spoken former physician made gains as seasoned politicians like Bush and Wisconsin Scott Walker slipped. Bush’s support was cut in half from the 13% he got in the prior CBS News survey, while Walker tumbled from 10% to 2% in Tuesday’s poll. One consolation for the struggling politicos is the race remains very much in flux. Just 37% of respondents said their mind was made up, while 63% said it was still too early to commit to a candidate. The top 11 candidates will square off Wednesday night in the second primary debate of the GOP nominating contest. The poll has a margin of error of three percentage points overall, with a larger margin of error (six percentage points) for self-identified Republican primary voters. **Read Next:** [_Ben Carson Finds His Voice on Campaign Trail_](http://time.com/4033330/ben-carson-campaign-style/) ### See the 2016 Candidates' Campaign Launches  Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23. Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images  Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul launched his bid for the Republican nomination at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on April 7\. Supporters held signs with the slogan "Defeat the Washington Machine / Unleash the American Dream." Amy Harris—Corbis  Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her campaign in a YouTube video posted April 12 that has been seen nearly 4.5 million times. One boy featured in the video boasted about playing a fish in a school play. Hillary For America  Florida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for the Republican nomination during a rally at the Freedom Tower in Miami on April 13\. He took a drink of water during the speech, a callback to his State of the Union response in 2013. Wilfredo Lee—AP  Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his bid for the Democratic nomination across the street from the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2015\. The backdrop was unusual, since most candidates rail against Washington. Jonathan Ernst—Reuters  Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the Republican nomination at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts May 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The launch featured a gospel choir covering Eminem's "Lose Yourself." Bill Pugliano—Getty Images  Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced her campaign for the Republican nomination in a conference call on May 4, then went on "Good Morning America" to talk to George Stephanopoulos. Lou Rocco—Getty Images  Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his campaign at a community college in his hometown of Hope, Ark., on May 5\. Singer Tony Orlando (right) performed. Left: Danny Johnston; Right: Matt Sullivan—Getty Images  Republican presidential candidate and former New York Governor George Pataki (C) greets supporters after formally announcing his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Exeter, N.H. on May 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter—Reuters  Former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for the democratic presidential nomination at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015. Win McNamee—Getty Images  Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announces his 2016 presidential candidacy in Central, S.C. on June 1, 2015. Erik S. Lesser—EPA  Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is joined by his wife Katie O'Malley (R) as he announces his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore on May 30, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters  Former Texas governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for Republican presidential nominee at an event held at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas on Thursday, June 4, 2015. Louis DeLuca—Dallas Morning News/Corbis  Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush waves on stage as he announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event at Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus in Miami on June 15 , 2015. Joe Raedle—Getty Images  Donald Trump holds up his financial statement showing his net worth as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during an event at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters  Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner, La. on June 24, 2015. Jonathan Bachman—Reuters  Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J. on June 30, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters  Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker greets supporters after announcing that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in Waukesha, Wis. on July 13, 2015 . Scott Olson—Getty Images  Ohio Governor John Kasich arrives on stage to formally announce his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally in Columbus, Ohio on July 21, 2015. Aaron P. 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