Cruz, Trump still on top in Iowa, new polls show

Two new polls say the fight for the top spot in Iowa's Republican caucuses continues to be between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

A poll from Monmouth College and KBUR-AM in Burlington, released Wednesday, says that Cruz, a senator from Texas, is leading the New York real estate mogul by 27 percent to 25 percent. Retired surgeon Ben Carson is third at 11 percent followed by Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida at 9 percent.

The poll sampled the opinions of 687 likely Republican voters Monday and Tuesday, and it has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Separately, a new Loras College poll says that Trump is leading Cruz, 26 percent to 25 percent. Rubio was next at 13 percent and Carson fourth at 8 percent.

'The Trump-versus-Cruz dynamic has defined the Republican race in the past couple of weeks,” said Christopher Budzisz, associate professor of politics and director of the Loras College Poll.

Still, he warned things can change.

'Iowa voters have surprised in the past, so it is always wise to watch for out for a last-minute push by someone from back in the field,” he said.

Rubio, he said, is the best positioned for a late burst.

The Loras poll was done Jan. 13-18 and sampled the opinions of 500 likely Republican voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.