2/15/2012 1:35 PM ET
(RTTNews) - Rick Santorum's popularity in Ohio is surging ahead of next month's Republican primary, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.
In the poll, the former Pennsylvania Senator landed the support of 36 percent of likely primary voters, compared to the 29 percent who support Santorum's main primary opponent, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, said, "[Santorum] appears to be riding the momentum from his victories last week in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri."
However, Brown was careful to add, "Unclear is whether that momentum fizzles as happened to Santorum in New Hampshire after winning Iowa, and as happened to Gov. Mitt Romney in South Carolina after winning New Hampshire and Speaker Newt Gingrich in Florida after taking South Carolina."
The poll also indicated that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich placed third with 20 percent, while Texas Congressman Ron Paul brings up the rear at 9 percent.
The Quinnipiac survey of 553 likely Republican primary voters was conducted February 7th through 12th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com